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The American Democracy Institute (ADI) is a nonprofit professional development organization that helps develop leaders by providing skills, resources, and access to a network of peer leaders committed to strengthening American democracy. In the four years since ADI's founding, the organization has engaged over 20,000 young activists through youth summits and online programs. Under the leadership of former President Bill Clinton, adviser John P. Hart has identified and recruited over 500 top young professionals throughout the nation to join ADI's National Leadership network which is a growing resource for these emerging leaders.

Principles and Platforms

One of the basic foundations of ADI is the national network of selected leaders. These are accomplished individuals within their professional field from across America. They are interested in reaching out to their peers to help create an educated and informed group of activists. They are concerned about the direction that America is heading and want an opportunity to help focus efforts to affect change.

In order to cultivate leadership development, ADI convenes summits, workshops, and other events around the country as a gateway for thousands of young people to begin their active engagement with American democracy. During election cycles, ADI's Empower Change Program combines live events with an online platform designed to register, educate, mobilize and protect the votes of young and traditionally disenfranchised voters.

History

ADI’s first regional youth summit was a success, with more than 4,000 attendees, comprehensive media coverage and a positive response from participants. The full-day event served as a pilot for civic engagement and leadership development program.

The Midwest Regional Summit, held in Chicago, IL, featured speeches by local business, political and civic leaders culminating in a keynote address by Senator Clinton about the importance of youth civic participation.

After providing youth summits, seminars, workshops, and a speaker series, ADI furthered its mission by focusing its resources on leadership development, believing that the most effective way to truly affect positive change is by empowering leaders who could generate new ideas, launch and grow organizations, and communicate their vision to others. ADI then hosted a series of roundtable conversations throughout the country in the winter and spring of 2007. These conversations allowed ADI to better identify emerging leaders and assess what they need from an organization like ADI. The response from participant included the need for three things: high level education on issues and trends; a network of peer leaders and access to experienced leaders who share their values; and a platform to promote their ideas and advance their causes.

In November 2007 ADI held its third-annual Youth Summit in Los Angeles featuring President Bill Clinton. During this event, there were new workshops that provided high-level participants the opportunity for leadership skills as well as an examination of how to really affect change through their career.

In September 2007, ADI held its first Leadership Forum in New York. Attendees participated in panels and discussion groups that focused on Launching & Incubating Ideas; Partnerships & Collaborations; Promoting Ideas–Emerging Trends in New Media; and Mobilizing Support. The event convened over 100 leaders from academia, politics, business, entertainment, non-profit and other professional backgrounds.

Empowerment

ADI assisted these leaders and activists to innovate and collaborate on solutions to the toughest societal and political challenges that the world faces today resulting in the launch of new organizations and initiatives such as Team Darfur and I Vote You Vote. Among the chief accomplishments of 2008 was the political involvement of thousands of new voters through the online GOTV tool, www.ivoteyouvote.com a web platform that for the first time empowers activists and active voters with a tool to register, educate, mobilize, and protect new voters. ivoteyouvote.com has been recognized as a Best Use of Social Networking Technology finalist for the Campaign & Elections 2008 Reed Awards.