Harvard Institute of Politics

Infobox_University


name = The Institute of Politics
established = 1966
type = Private
director = Bill Purcell (mayor)
city = Cambridge
state = Massachusetts
country = USA
campus = Urban
website= [http://www.iop.harvard.edu]

The Kennedy family and its friends founded Harvard's [http://www.iop.harvard.edu Institute of Politics] (IOP) to serve as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy shortly after his death. The Institute seeks to inspire Harvard undergraduates into careers in politics and public service, much as President Kennedy was inspired during his days as a student at Harvard. The IOP also brings together the academic world with the world of politics and public affairs. All of this activity occurs on a non-partisan basis with the sole aim of promoting public service.

The IOP is led by former congressman Jim Leach(R-IA), a full-time staff, an advisory committee of Harvard students, and an advisory board including Caroline Kennedy, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), US Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), former Senator John Culver (D-IA) and Congressman William Delahunt (D-MA), former White House Chief of Staff Kenneth Duberstein, former congressman Phil Sharp (D-IN), PBS correspondent Gwen Ifill, New York Times executive Rick Berke, former advisor to President Kennedy Milton Gwirtzman, and Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson.

Among the programs offered by the IOP include internships, prominent and diverse Forum speakers, the Harvard Political Review, study groups led by visiting and resident Fellows, and conferences intended to provide opportunities for interaction with the people who shape politics and public policy. The IOP does not offer formal courses or degree-granting programs; instead, it provides avenues for practical experience and encourages students to examine critically and think creatively about politics and public issues.

In 2003, the IOP launched the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement, working collaboratively with other schools and organizations across the country to engage young people. The IOP also conducts research and surveys into the political views of America's young voters. In addition, the Institute offers conferences for new members of Congress and new mayors, and, after each Presidential election, brings together top campaign officials to analyze the race.

The Institute of Politics is housed within Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government and affiliated with the Kennedy Presidential Library. The three institutions work closely together.

Mission

The Institute of Politics' mission is to unite and engage students, particularly undergraduates, with academics, politicians, activists, and policymakers on a non-partisan basis and to stimulate and nurture their interest in public service and leadership. The Institute strives to promote greater understanding and cooperation between the academic world and the world of politics and public affairs.

Students are offered wide-ranging opportunities, including internships, prominent and diverse Forum speakers, study groups led by visiting and resident Fellows, and conferences intended to provide opportunities for interaction with the people who shape politics and public policy. The IOP does not offer formal courses or degree-granting programs; instead, it provides avenues for practical experience and encourages students to examine critically and think creatively about politics and public issues.

John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum

The John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum is one of the world's premier arenas for political speech, discussion and debate. Located at the heart of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, the Forum regularly hosts heads of state; leaders in politics, government, business, labor and the media; academics; community organizers; and artists. In addition to speeches, debates and panel discussions on pressing issues, the Forum has sponsored television and radio programs, film screenings, and theatrical productions.

Since its founding in 1978, the Forum has hosted more than one-thousand events, seen by live audiences totaling more than 650,000 people and millions more via cable television, teleconferencing and the Internet.

Prominent Speakers at the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum

* Christiane Amanpour, CNN Correspondent
* Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary General
* Sandy Berger, National Security Advisor to the President (1997-2001)
* Rosalynn Carter, First Lady of the United States (1977-1981)
* Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator (D-NY)
* Angela Davis, Civil Rights Activist and Professor
* Maria Echaveste, White House Deputy Chief of Staff (1998-2001)
* Bill Emmott, Editor-in-Chief, The Economist
* John Engler, Governor of Michigan (1991 – 2003)
* Harold Ford, United States Congressman from Tennessee
* Ashraf Ghani, Finance Minister, Afghanistan
* Jesse Jackson, Jr., Member, U.S. House of Representatives (D-IL)
* Edward Kennedy, U.S. Senator (D-MA)
* Seymour Hersh, Investigative Reporter
* Arianna Huffington, Syndicated Columnist and Author
* Patricia Ireland, President, National Organization for Women
* Edward Kennedy, U.S. Senator (D-MA)
* Kanan Makiya, Iraqi Dissident; White House Advisor on Democracy in Iraq
* Rosario Marin, Treasurer of the United States
* Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland; Mayor of Baltimore (1999 - 2007)
* Bill O’Reilly, Anchor and Host, The O'Reilly Factor
* Rod Paige, Secretary, U.S. Department of Education
* Charles Rangel, Member, U.S. House of Representatives (D-NY)
* Fidel Ramos, President of the Philippines (1992-1998)
* David Rockefeller, Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chase Manhattan Bank
* Robert Rubin, Former Secretary of the Treasury (1993-1999)
* George Ryan, Governor of Illinois (1999-2003) (R)
* Jeanne Shaheen, Governor of New Hampshire (1997-2003); IOP Fellow, Spring 2003
* Gene Sperling, White House National Economic Advisor (1996-2001)
* Governor Jane Swift, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
* Ted Turner, Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor, AOL Time Warner; Founder, CNN
* Sung-Chul Yang, Ambassador to the United States, Republic of South Korea

Fellows & Study Groups

The Fellows Program represents a unique opportunity for political practitioners with diverse experiences and viewpoints to spend a semester at Harvard. Fellows interact with students, participate in the intellectual life of the community, and pursue individual studies or projects. The Fellows Program is central to the Institute's dual commitment to encourage student interest in public life and to develop ways for the academic and political communities to learn from each other.

ee also

* Harvard University people

External links

* [http://www.iop.harvard.edu/ Harvard Institute of Politics]

References