Youth civic effort nets $1 million

In an effort to combat the rising tide of apathy and cynicism many Americans feel toward politics and government, U.Va.'s Center for Governmental Studies launched a Youth Leadership Initiative this year, and politicians are supporting the effort -- the program just received $1 million from Congress, following this year's earlier $500,000, two-year grant from the Virginia General Assembly. The goal of the initiative, founded by government professor Larry J. Sabato, is to rekindle citizen interest and participation in the American electoral process by reaching out to high school students.

"Everyone at the Center for Governmental Studies is grateful to all the members of the Virginia congressional delegation for their commitment to education and to the young citizens of this Commonwealth and nation," said Ken Stroupe, program director.

The Youth Leadership Initiative aims to educate the community about public policy and encourage greater participation in the political process through projects such as student-hosted candidate debates, the largest online mock election in the nation, public town hall meetings and an academic curriculum linked to the Virginia Standards of Learning.