For my generation, politics is broken. The results of the Harvard Institute of Politics spring 2013 poll of over 3,000 young Americans ages 18-29 show a generation pessimistic about politics.

Nearly half (48 percent) of young Americans don't believe their votes will make a real difference. This is...

We are on the doorstep of a new era in politics -- one where young people matter. This week six U.S. Senators from both sides of the aisle introduced Senate Resolution 608 supporting the establishment of a Presidential Youth Council.

Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) joined Senator Scott...

Last week a friend asked me at lunch, "Do you believe in voting?" I responded, "Well, of course" and then paused to think. Why vote?

I live in New Mexico and we are a competitive state but not a battleground (if you are in a battleground state, stop reading...

The results of the Harvard Public Opinion Project's new poll reveal a democracy at risk. The 2012 election might bring the lowest youth voter turnout since 18-year-olds were allowed to vote in 1972. Our democracy is at risk and we must do something about it.

Our poll...

This weekend, I along with 29 other young people will give away five million dollars. Our goal: to help solve our nation's education problem by integrating service into the school curriculum.

Academic service-learning is a teaching method where teachers work with students to research a community problem and...

On a rainy morning in Moscow this May, I sat at a table listening to Russia's best students articulate, in perfect English, their concerns with the United States' anti-ballistic missile system and explain their hope for the future of Russia.

These conversations marked the highlight of a...

I was shocked this spring to learn there are 104 million people in our country under the age of 24. Polling done at the Harvard Institute of Politics has found that only 32% of young people (18-29) believe they have a say in what the government does and...

The young person's debate on Social Security has been particularly one-sided lately. Last fall at the Harvard Institute of Politics, I helped write and analyze a poll of over 2,000 young people ages 18-29. We found that 78 percent of young people were concerned that the Social Security...

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke in Tunisia this past weekend about how the aspirations and needs of young people present a crucial challenge for our country, Tunisia, and nations across the world.

"It will be the young people of Tunisia who determine what the future will be," Secretary...

Over the last three weeks, I have walked through the Occupy movements of Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington. The predominately young protestors shared their frustrations with me. They are fed up with the status quo and the direction our country is headed.

They just want a job and a...

This weekend I was in New York for a State Department Panel entitled, "Youth Driving Change: Global Youth and Civic Engagement." The event itself was just as amazing as the story behind it -- one that is still developing.

Over the last year, the State Department has...

What happens when you give thirty Millennials five million dollars? You're expecting the stereotypical answer, "something magical." Well, it is definitely magical, along with stressful, intense and provocative.

Now you may be asking yourself, what is so hard about giving away money? One short answer: nothing. How the question should...

There is a magical feeling when you step onto the blue floor of the United States Senate. You are quickly overcome by how small it is. You feel like you are part of history. When the Senate gavels into session and you see Senator Carl Levin argue with Senator...

Would you like to have a conversation with the chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, The president of the Wal-Mart Foundation, and the CEO of State Farm Insurance on dropout prevention? Well the America's Promise Alliance is giving you the chance as they look...

The goose bumps ran up the back of my neck and a slight tear came from my eye last January as I sat listening to 15 State Farm Youth Advisory Board members give final reflections and say their goodbyes.

I was the youngest new board member and uncertain of...