Do More Mondays - #114 - Samara

My interests don't spread terribly far when it comes to politics.  I don't understand enough about it to discuss a stance or support a position.  I don't pretend to know what I'm talking about and I'll admit it's somewhat embarrassing being governed all my life with vague knowledge of its workings.

My friend Ricky Barnes is the most political person I know and it rubs off in the greatest ways.  My curiosities perk every so often while following his tweets on current events!  Which is why this week I looked into charities that make politics matter.

Samara is a non-partisan organization that works to improve political participation in Canada by researching and providing educational programs.  Their current reports advance an ambitious research agenda that shines new light on Canada’s democratic system and serves as a resource to increase Canadians’ understanding of politics.  This will culminate in the 'Samara Index', an annual report that will draw attention to the relationship between citizens and Canada’s political process.

Through the 'Samara in the Classroom' programs research is adapted into materials that encourage new ways of teaching politics, and 'Democracy Talks', their national public outreach initiative, provides Canadians, including young people and new Canadians, with a platform to discuss how politics can better reflect their daily lives.

Since Samara began in 2009, they have written provocative reports, held seminars for journalists, held public events, conducted media interviews, spoken at conferences and produced curriculum materials for classrooms.

There is a wealth of incredible information and I encourage everyone to check it out.

I challenge anyone to do more.