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Civics as a National Security Imperative

As a part of the CSIS’ Defending Democratic Institutions project, this initiative looks to reinvigorate and prioritize civics and civic education as an essential part of our national security. Working with leaders in the public and private sector, this project focuses on the opportunity and imperative to rediscover our shared values, relearn the fundamentals of our constitutional republic, and re-form a sense of civic identity and commitment in our communities and across the nation.

The most recent event in the “Civics as a National Security Imperative” public event series was held on March, 12, 2021 and featured FBI Director Christopher Wray as well as national security lawyers.

Our next event is a conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Neil M. Gorsuch. The event video will be available on April 14th at 1pm EST.


Upcoming Programs

UPCOMING EVENT
Civics as a National Security Imperative: A Conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Neil M. Gorsuch
April 14

 

 

Past Programs

PAST EVENT
Online Event: Civics as a National Security Imperative: A Conversation with Microsoft's Brad Smith and Civics and Technology Experts
January 19

 

 
PAST EVENT
Online Event: Civics as a National Security Imperative: A Conversation with Senior Military Officers
December 14, 2020

 

 
PAST EVENT
Online Event: Civics as a National Security Imperative: Addressing Racial Injustice (Part 2 of 2)
July 2, 2020

Part 2: The Role of Civics in Addressing Racial Injustice

 
PAST EVENT
Online Event: Civics as a National Security Imperative: Addressing Racial Injustice (Part 1 of 2)
July 1, 2020

Part 1: Racial Injustice as a National Security Threat


Relevant Project Analysis

CRITICAL QUESTIONS
Understanding Insurrection and Sedition
January 29, 2021 | Suzanne Spaulding, Devi Nair

CSIS security experts define acts of sedition and insurrection and evaluate the seriousness of both charges.

 
CRITICAL QUESTIONS
Restore Trust in National Security Institutions
January 22, 2021 | Suzanne Spaulding, Devi Nair

Trust in U.S. democratic institutions has been declining for some time. To start rebuilding and sustaining public confidence in democracy and in U.S. national security institutions, civic education must be elevated as a national security imperative.

STRATEGY
Bad Idea: Prioritizing STEM Education at the Expense of Civic Education
December 4, 2020 | Suzanne Spaulding, Devi Nair

 

 
OPINION
How national security and civic education must address racism
June 30, 2020 | Suzanne Spaulding


 

OPINION
Election Security: Fundamental and Threatened
September 2020 | Suzanne Spaulding, Devi Nair

 

 
REPORT
Creating an Expectation of Service: Civic Education as a National Security Imperative (Testimony)
July 10, 2019 | Suzanne Spaulding

Suzanne Spaulding, Senior Adviser, Homeland Security, International Security Program, testifies before National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service on "Creating an Expectation of Service: Civic Education as a National Security Imperative."

This project is made possible by Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

International Security Program

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Find Additional Content
Media Queries

Contact H. Andrew Schwartz
Chief Communications Officer
Tel: 202.775.3242

Contact Caleb Diamond
Media Relations Manager and Editorial Associate
Tel: 202.775.3173

Experts

Suzanne Spaulding
Senior Adviser, Homeland Security, International Security Program
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Beverly Kirk
Fellow and Director for Outreach, International Security Program, and Director, Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative
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Media Queries

Contact H. Andrew Schwartz
Chief Communications Officer
Tel: 202.775.3242

Contact Caleb Diamond
Media Relations Manager and Editorial Associate
Tel: 202.775.3173

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