Why We Exist
Samara is an independent charitable organization that works to improve political and civic engagement in Canada. Samara believes engaged citizens make our country vibrant, resilient and strong. Despite Canadians’ belief in the importance of democracy, more and more people say they feel disconnected from politics. They don’t feel their voices are heard. And they’re giving up.
Samara works to repair that citizen disconnect by seeding ideas for relevant and responsive politics that Canadians can believe in. We aspire for a citizenry that knows politics matter and feels heard by their government and compelled to be involved. We do this by bringing forward new voices, giving people the tools they need to better understand the democratic system and do something to improve it.
Our Story
Samara was created in 2008 out of a belief in the importance of public service and public leadership. We are named for a samara, which is the winged "helicopter" seed that falls from maple, elm and ash trees.
Our Work
Best known for the 2011 research series, the Members of Parliament Exit Interviews project, which gained national attention and is continuing to influence policy, Samara is in the middle of a second major research project, the Samara Index, which will be a yearly measure of Canada’s democracy.
Samara also runs journalism seminars for reporters and editors, as well as regular contests and online engagement programs.
Samara is also in the early stages of working with partners to develop primary and high-school level programming to support teachers and encourage Canadian students to be politically active.
Our flagship engagement program Democracy Talks will begin in the summer of 2012. Bringing together all our research into the Democracy Index, and working with community partners, Democracy Talks creates an opportunity for broad and informed discussion on the nature of citizen engagement, bringing forward Canadians’ views on politics and their place in public life.
Our work focuses on three areas: political leadership, the participation of citizens in public life, and public affairs journalism.
Take a Look Around Our Site
Learn more about our projects.
Read, watch or listen to media coverage of our work.
Read op-eds or other pieces we've contributed to the public debate.
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