Happy 10th Anniversary! We are celebrating the first ten years of the Institute this year and we could not be more proud of how the Institute has become a preeminent location for bipartisan dialogue related to strengthening American democracy.
Our Working Group of former Senators and Senate experts gathered monthly in Washington in 2024 to generate proposals that will enhance the functioning of the U.S. Senate. We hosted a New Senator Orientation reception with the incoming class of U.S. Senators in partnership with the McCain Institute. Our nationally televised Senate Project debate between Senators Whitehouse (D-RI) and Cassidy (R-LA) was moderated by NBC’s Chuck Todd in the Institute’s replica Senate Chamber. In a contentious election year, we convened a symposium with the Dole Institute in Lawrence, Kansas focused on strengthening our election infrastructure. We will have announcements on next steps in each of these projects soon.
We continue to dramatically expand our national impact in civic education. This year we grew our countrywide footprint, reaching students in 32 states throughout the last year and bringing our all-time reach to 44 states. We hosted vital conversations between students from around the country, including a national dialogue on the Electoral College weeks before the 2024 election. We remain determined to prepare the next generation of American leaders and active participants in our democracy.
We are grateful for the active engagement of our bipartisan board of directors that we expanded significantly during 2024. Each of these steps have prepared us to enter 2025 — our 10th Anniversary year — with tremendous optimism about what the Institute can achieve in partnership with you.
Adam G. Hinds
CEO
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
The Kennedy Institute is pleased to announce that our 2024 Annual Report is now available to view online. It was an impactful year, and we are truly grateful for the support of our members, donors, sponsors and partners who made everything in this report possible. Thank you for your continued support.
Bridging Generations in a Divided World: Lessons from the Irish Peace Process for Today's Youth (May 12)
As the Irish diaspora evolves into a third or fourth generation of Irish-Americans, what lessons can today’s youth learn from the Irish peace process as they navigate current geopolitical stressors, deepening political polarization, and develop into the community leaders of tomorrow? Please join the Kennedy Institute for two back-to-back panel discussions, with opening remarks by Síghle FitzGerald, Consul General of Ireland Boston to explore these pressing challenges.
The first panel will feature a conversation with Rep. Joe Kennedy III, former US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, and Professor Mary Murphy, Director of the Irish Institute at Boston College as they discuss lessons from the Northern Ireland Peace process and Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s legacy of peaceful negotiation.
The second panel will feature two local youth advocacy voices including Leena Ghrici, the Mayor’s Youth Council Program Coordinator for the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement for the City of Boston. The second panelist will be announced at a later date. Moderated by Professor Fiona Creed of Northeastern University, the panel will reflect on their work in relation to women’s leadership, navigating diverse communities and empowering the next generation of change-makers and peacebuilders.
This program is presented with generous support from the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Program.
RECENT EVENTS
It Takes Chutzpah Book Event:
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jim Acosta
Watch Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) discuss his recent book It Takes Chutzpah: Fearlessly Fighting for Progressive Change in conversation with Jim Acosta, former CNN Anchor and White House Correspondent. Sen. Wyden encouraged mobilization for truth, leadership with courage, and the importance of bipartisanship saying, “work with anybody who has a good idea and wants to help.”
Throughout his career Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) championed the cause of quality, affordable health care for all Americans, especially during his service as Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.
To mark the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, the Kennedy Institute hosted a virtual conversation with David Bowen, Sen. Kennedy’s Health Staff Director, on the Senator’s leadership crafting one of the most consequential health care bills in decades, in conversation with Julie Rovner, Chief Washington Correspondent, KFF Health News.
NEW: Kennedy-Breyer Civic Scholars Summer Program
Our Civic Education team is thrilled to be partnering with the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and the Justice Stephen G. Breyer Community Learning Center on Courts and the Constitution at the Moakley Federal Courthouse to offer a new student learning opportunity for Summer 2025. Massachusetts high school students will join us for an immersive summer experience that explores the three branches of government. This free, week-long summer program will examine the three branches and how they work together to shape our democratic process. Student scholars will spend time at each of the three partner sites exploring the distinct roles of each branch, their interconnections, and their crucial contributions to democracy through hands-on activities and simulations. Find out more about this exciting new program for young people.
Now Scheduling School Programs for Fall 2025
We are excited to begin scheduling programs for our tenth school year! We look forward to welcoming thousands of students and teachers for civic education programs throughout the coming school years and are grateful for the partnership of so many schools and educators dedicated to the civic learning of their students. Find out more about our Civic Education programs.
Virtual Tour of the Senate Chamber
In a new video released from our Civic Education team, learn about the Institute’s full-scale replica of the U.S. Senate Chamber. Get a behind the scenes tour of this grand and historic space where students and members of the public can learn about the unique role of the Senate, debate legislation through our civic learning programs, and participate in engaging public events with national policymakers and thought leaders.
Visit Us This Summer: Open Houses in July & August
The Institute will be hosting free summer open houses on Friday, July 11 and Friday, August 15. Join us for exhibit tours, family-friendly activities, and programming in the Senate Chamber.
We want to thank you for being a loyal reader of our On The Point newsletter. If you haven't already, we encourage you to take the next step of becoming a member of the Kennedy Institute. In addition to supporting the Kennedy Institute’s mission and offerings, membership includes pre-scheduled tours and visits at no cost for one year; advanced notice of upcoming special events, exhibits, and programs; member-only updates throughout the year; and special pricing for ticketed Kennedy Institute events.
Your membership supports our mission to inspire all Americans to participate in the civic life of our communities and our country, and to educate K-12 students and people of all ages about the unique role of the Senate in our democracy.
