The close of 2011 marks the third full year of Samara’s operations as an organization that, through innovative research and educational programming, works to strengthen political engagement in Canada.

Since we started Samara, we’ve been buoyed by the support and advice of many of you. As we prepare to expand our research and educational programming, we are writing to ask you to please consider making a charitable contribution to support our growing work. 

Since Samara began, we have written five provocative reports, run six seminars for journalists, conducted over 120 media interviews, spoken at over 25 conferences, produced curriculum materials for over 500 schools, assembled a team of 24 academic advisors and organized the first roundtable for our Democracy Index.

More importantly, Samara’s work is encouraging greater focus on improving political engagement.  For example, the findings from our first project, Canada’s first-ever series of exit interviews with former Members of Parliament, are being used by political leaders, academics, teachers and political observers across the country. The project has provoked   extensive conversations, is frequently referenced by columnists and decision makers and has been used to shape university and high school civics curricula, academic research and training programs for newly elected MPs.

And we’re just getting started!

We have heard from many of you that the work we’re doing matters: that it’s opening up constructive discussion about how we want democracy to work in this great country. We’ve heard that citizens want politics to reflect their values, respond to their concerns and be open to their participation.

In short, we understand that we all want a political culture we respect and believe in. That’s the long-term change Samara aims to make.

Our next step is the Democracy Index, an annual report on the health of Canada’s democracy that will provide Canadians with information about their political system that they have never had before. This resource will support decision makers, educators and the public by shining light on the performance of several key components of democracy: political leadership (including Parliament and political parties), citizen participation and media and public discourse. 

We are also expanding our educational and public programming to include enhanced civics programs, new journalism seminars and “Democracy Talks,” a new public outreach program designed to bring a diverse range of Canadians, living across the country, into a discussion on how to make politics and democracy more relevant and meaningful for them.

To date, the MacMillan Family Foundation has generously supported most of the costs of Samara’s activities. Together with charitable contributions from a small group of donors, as well as through partnerships with Massey College, The Writers’ Trust, The Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians and the Historica-Dominion Institute, we’ve been able to accomplish a great deal. 

But ours is an ambitious agenda. If you are able, please consider “giving the gift of democracy” and making a charitable donation to Samara.  Please contribute before December 31 to receive a receipt for the 2011 tax year.

Donations can be made
• online through CanadaHelps.org
• by calling our office
• or by mailing a cheque to us at 33 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5R 1B2. 

Thank you again for your support and suggestions throughout Samara’s development.  We are excited about what lies ahead and hope that you will continue to follow us through our blog, Facebook or Twitter!

In the meantime, we wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.

With warm wishes,

Alison Loat, Michael MacMillan and the Samara team