The next four years will demand greatness of our nation's leaders as we face severe foreign and domestic challenges, including:

• A global war against terrorism,
• Continued violence and instability in Afghanistan and Iraq,
• Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
• Extended deployment of the Armed Forces, National Guard, and Reserves,
• Runaway healthcare costs and inequities in health insurance,
• Retirement of the baby-boom generation and risks to long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare,
• Growing budget and trade deficits, combined with an over-reliance on foreign capital to finance the national debt.

To help prepare the nation to meet these challenges, the Center is leading an initiative to inspire America’s leaders to exercise civility and inclusive leadership, indispensable tools for forging national unity and marshalling the best minds across party lines. This project consists of the following initiatives:

October 2004 – David Abshire presented his essay, The Grace and Power of Civility: Commitment and Tolerance in the American Tradition, at a Library of Congress event. In his essay, Dr. Abshire notes that national unity has helped us realize our greatest national achievements, from the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to the Marshall Plan after World War II. In contrast, national discord has produced some of our most tragic moments, such as the Civil War, the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, and failure in Vietnam.

January 6, 2005 – In cooperation with Zogby International, the Center released the results a nationwide poll demonstrating that, in a polarized nation of so called “red” and “blue” states, the majority desires a stronger and united national leadership to address domestic and international challenges.

January 13, 2005 – Ambassadors David Abshire and Max Kampelman announced the formation of a bipartisan “National Committee to Unite a Divided America” and released the National Committee’s Declaration on Civility and Inclusive Leadership. More than 100 prominent Americans – including CEOs, university presidents, religious leaders, heads of policy institutes, former diplomats and generals, and former Members of Congress – have joined the National Committee and signed the Declaration. (See Press Release)

April 7-9, 2005 – The Center will bring together several national leaders to discuss civility in leadership with our 80 outstanding Presidential Fellows from colleges and universities around the country. The Fellows, who will present essays on Presidential leadership, will meet with Executive and Congressional leaders as well as experts in the policy community.

Spring 2005 – In partnership with the Fetzer Institute, CSP will form a “Young Leaders Group,” composed of 20-25 young, influential leaders. These young “movers and shakers,” selected from the Congress, the Executive Branch, and other places of influence, will identify ways to encourage civility among themselves and America’s national leadership.

Become Involved Center for the Study of the Presidency 1020 Nineteenth Street, NW - Suite 250 | Washington, DC 20036 Tel: 202-872-9800 | Fax: 202-872-9811 | E-mail: [email protected]