Defending Democracy Together Institute

Defending Democracy Together Institute is committed to elevating and assembling pro-democracy voices, with the objective of educating the public about the essential function and value of American democracy. The institution seeks to encourage innovative thinking about how to address the emerging challenges facing the nation. By gathering a diverse range of voices, Defending Democracy Together Institute aims to foster a deeper understanding of democracy and inspire solutions to contemporary issues.

In pursuit of its mission, the Defending Democracy Together Institute launched the Lyceum Labs project in 2022. The project's initial focus was on engaging with potential partners and supporters of its work. Lyceum Labs primarily focused on two main projects. The first was organizing and hosting a December 12, 2022, event titled "Success in the States: How Outstanding State Lawmakers Lead and Govern." This event brought together a bipartisan group of state lawmakers from Oklahoma, Oregon, and Florida, as well as leaders from nonprofit partners such as the Center for Effective Lawmaking and the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy.

The second main project involved collaborating with several nonprofit partners to develop the initial plans for and secure the participation of scholars in the "More Parties, Better Parties" conference held at Stanford University earlier this year. By working with co-host organizations such as the Center for Ballot Freedom, New America's Political Reform Program, Protect Democracy, and Stanford's Center for Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law, Lyceum Labs successfully planned and executed these events. Through these initiatives, Defending Democracy Together Institute demonstrates its commitment to elevating pro-democracy voices and fostering innovative thinking about the challenges facing America.