Formation 2005 | Headquarters Washington, D.C. | |
Methods Activism, journalism, policy research and advocacy Parent organization Center for American Progress Slogan "Generation Progress educates, engages, & mobilizes a new generation of young progressives" Mission "To promote progressive solutions to key political and social challenges" | ||
Generation Progress, launched as Campus Progress in February 2005 and renamed Generation Progress in July 2013, is an American non-profit advocacy group that promotes progressive political and social policy through support for student activists and journalists on college campuses in the United States. Generation Progress is the youth engagement arm of the liberal think tank Center for American Progress.
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Overview and goals
From the organization's founding in 2004 until January 2012, Generation Progress was led by David Halperin, former White House speechwriter to President Bill Clinton. The current executive director of Generation Progress is Maggie Thompson.
In a 2013 re-branding effort, Generation Progress identified economic justice, human and civil rights, and democracy as the group's top priorities. The organization announced that it would work to reach beyond college campuses and involve older, working-class and non-college-bound millennials in liberal activism. Generation Progress is a proponent of gun control.
A partner organization of Generation Progress, Generation Progress Action, engages in progressive advocacy activities.
Activities
Generation Progress has programs in journalism, activism and events. The organization lobbies Congress and state governments, produces media content, and conducts trainings. Generation Progress has worked with Senator Elizabeth Warren in an attempt to curb rising student debt through a proposal which would lower interest rates and increase taxes.
Generation Progress has organized alternative spring breaks focused on issues including climate change, the death penalty, and the war in Iraq.
The organization held it first annual national conference in Washington D.C. in July 2005. The event featured President Bill Clinton and Rep. John Lewis. Subsequent national conferences have featured Barack Obama, Tammy Baldwin, Samantha Power, Majora Carter, James A. Forbes, Nancy Pelosi, Russ Feingold, Keith Ellison, Tom Daschle, Ralph Nader, Seymour Hersh, and Fat Joe. The organization's events have been co-sponsored by Rock the Vote and the League of Women Voters.