Our VISION
A civil society in which every citizen is imbued with a sense of civic duty to come to the defence of the fundamentals of liberal constitutional democracy.
Why Section 1
Authoritarian and illiberal societies need compliant followers. Liberal democracy needs engaged citizens. Find out why.
Mission and Fundamentals
An education that imbues in every citizen a sense of civic duty to come to the defense of their democracy. A society in which everyone is educated into a tradition of "Heroic Citizenship".
The Team
We are a small team, but we are mighty in our principles, ideals, convictions and ambitions for a society of Heroic Citizens. Meet the team and the Advisory Board.
Donate today!
Please contribute to the defense of liberal democracy, the fight against democratic backsliding and the education of Heroic Citizens! Please support our work and mission.
Our Work
We want every school to teach a civics curriculum fit for liberal democratic citizens based on our “Fundamentals of Liberal Democracy”, including such programs as our Bootcamp for Heroic Citizenship (currently in development). We also convene conferences, run workshops, deliver public lectures and press commentary and we undertake research and writing projects, with an eye to safeguarding and promoting a liberal democratic civic culture.
Get Involved
Invite us to address your school, organization, community. Send us questions and ideas. Volunteer, help us manage our social media, promote our mission, raise much needed funding to support our work.
“Each of us thinks we know and understand what democracy means. Section 1’s Students in Democracy Education initiative poses a comprehensive view of the concept that will educate and challenge.
It does not restrict itself to a description of the working mechanisms of the system – that’s the easy part. At its innovative core is the notion of a Heroic Citizen, setting out first principles, explaining them and importantly illustrating the integration among them. It pays attention to the fundamental institutions that underpin a well-functioning democracy. It suggests implicitly that democracy is more than a simple vote.
Each short episode is designed to be engaging, with music and photography. By suggesting both challenge and opportunity the experience allows participants to make it their own. Designed to elicit feedback, the intent is to inspire students to assume some responsibility for their own learning – exploring and questioning both what resonates and confuses.
In other words, it motivates us to think about the conditions and behaviours that are critical if we are to learn to live together harmoniously – whether in neighbourhoods or countries.”
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell / Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (2014-2023)“Each of us thinks we know and understand what democracy means. Section 1’s Students in Democracy Education (S.I.D.E.) initiative poses a comprehensive view of the concept that will educate and challenge.
At its innovative core is the notion of a Heroic Citizen, setting out first principles, explaining them and importantly illustrating the integration among them. It suggests implicitly that democracy is more than a simple vote.
Each short episode is designed to be engaging, with music and photography. Designed to elicit feedback, the intent is to inspire students to assume some responsibility for their own learning."
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell / Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (2014-2023)