We define civic health as the durable, society-level capacity for collective self-governance. It is enabled by norms of mutual respect and public-spirited responsibility, by legitimate and adaptive civic spaces and institutions, and by practices that bridge across differences; it is expressed in equitable civic participation that leads to a widely shared sense of trust and belonging and freedom.
As one of the few public institutions designed to tolerate disagreement and model democratic decision-making, the University of Washington has an ethical responsibility to invest in civic infrastructure for the public good. By operating with clarity and consistency, the Civic Health Initiative demonstrates how a public university contributes constructively to civic life.
Purpose
Why we are doing this together.
The Initiative exists to fulfill the University of Washington’s public responsibility by aligning resources and activating institutional capacity for impact at scale.
Mission
What we do.
The Initiative strengthens UW’s ability to serve as a vital civic partner through shared problem solving, radical collaboration and strategic resource mobilization to create lasting public value.
Vision
Where we are going.
The people of Washington experience the University as an effective, reliable and enduring partner in strengthening civic health.
Values
What shapes our decision making.
The Initiative nurtures a culture of humility, generosity and responsibility to model democracy in action. We will:
- Learn. Pursue deep inquiry and continuous improvement guided by clear criteria that strengthen our work and public impact.
- Connect. Bring people together to form relationships, deepen understanding across differences and build trust.
- Deliver. Spark insights, strengthen confidence in our shared capacity and galvanize actions to enhance civic life.