As Americans come together to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, many of us are reflecting on the aspirations expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Self-governance, preservation of liberty, and protection of the rights of the people were inspiring goals in 1776. And one of the key debates after independence was simple: how best to ensure that the people had the information they needed to fully participate in the new republic.
The Pew Charitable Trusts was founded in Philadelphia in 1948, and the American ideals of a pluralist, striving citizenry were hardwired into our organization. A commitment to an informed populace and a responsive government initially led members of the Pew family to fund schools and universities. Decades later, the same impulse led to an interest in understanding the views of a changing country, explaining public attitudes—especially through Pew Research Center work—and finding common ground on matters of public policy.
In many ways, access to information is the lifeblood of democracy, creating a base of facts for more focused and civil conversations, as well as both innovation and compromise. And that’s as true today as it was in 1776 and 1948. This issue of Trust highlights some of our accomplishments from last year and demonstrates a multitude of ways in which data enhances civic discussion and sound policy—locally, nationally, and globally.
At the state level, Pew’s evidence-based technical assistance included work in Connecticut, which made significant progress in recession-proofing its budget. Our analyses helped to inform changes to the Illinois court system that improved efficiencies and helped people in consumer debt cases. And our research supported a package of legislation in Texas to increase the construction of more affordable homes that is a model for other states.
Pew also supported the latest documentary from filmmaker Ken Burns, “The American Revolution,” and sponsored a panel discussion at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia about using our shared history to inspire civil dialogue today. That discussion was later broadcast nationally on PBS, and you can read more about it—as well as an interview with Burns—in this issue.
Showcasing Pew’s international support for research-based conservation, this issue also covers the ratification of two international treaties that promise to enhance biodiversity and provide benefits to communities worldwide. These agreements required intense negotiations—and environmental science amplified by Pew and our partners was essential to earning their passage. We also highlight two important ecosystems on opposite sides of the Pacific: Australia’s Channel Country and South America’s Gran Chaco and Pantanal. In these sparsely populated regions, nature, commerce, and Indigenous knowledge and practices are creating more sustainable land management approaches.
What ties our work together is our historic commitment to civil dialogue underpinned by data and research. Pew’s founders believed in the power of an informed citizenry to collectively make decisions through the democratic process. As stewards of the organization and our founders’ values, all of us at Pew have remained committed to this goal, helping policymakers across eras to use data to make a difference.
Susan K. Urahn, President and CEO
People
