| Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation | |
|---|---|
| Established | 2003 |
| Type | Education |
| Director | Anthony Saich |
| Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA |
| Website | http://ash.harvard.edu/ |
The Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, formerly known as the Ash Institute, was established in 2003 and is part of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Center’s mission is to advance public discussion and public policy research on key issues of democratic governance worldwide, as well as recognize and promote innovations in government that are improving the lives of citizens.[1]
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In April 2001, the Ford Foundation announced a $50 million endowment to Harvard Kennedy School. This endowment was the largest single endowment ever made by the Ford Foundation at that time. Susan Berresford, then president of the Ford Foundation, explained that the endowment would enable much needed recognition of numerous innovative government programs in the United States and worldwide.
The grant enabled Harvard Kennedy School to launch the Innovations in American Government Awards in 1985 which recognizes and supports state, local, tribal, and territorial government initiatives. Many past award winners have been replicated around the country including:
In 2003, Harvard Kennedy School received a substantial gift from benefactors Roy and Lila Ash. Designed to enhance the Innovations in American Government Awards Program by emphasizing the connection between innovation and democratic governance, the gift created the Ash Center. Roy Ash’s own experience in the public and private sector made him aptly positioned to set the vision for the new Ash Center. Ash served as a cabinet member in two U.S. government administrations and is the founder of the modern Office of Management and Budget.
The Ash Center offers grant funding and internship opportunities for students in the Harvard community. Support for field research in Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as other regions is also offered. Its Ford Foundation Mason Fellowship and Roy and Lila Ash Fellowship provides financial support to students studying at the Harvard Kennedy School.
In November 2008, Harvard Kennedy School announced a new initiative with the Ford Foundation to link innovative governance to the world’s major social challenges.
The Program on Democratic Governance includes research on democratic participation, immigration, and democracy in the developed and developing world.
The Center now hosts the Seminar Series, bringing distinguished speakers to Harvard Kennedy School throughout the academic year to address critical challenges facing democratic governance. Its Democracy Fellowships program provides financial support for doctoral and postdoctoral students to pursue research related to democratic governance.
Under the leadership of Ash Center Director Anthony Saich, Asia Programs, a school-wide initiative integrating Asia-related activities, joined the Ash Center in July 2008.
The permanently endowed Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia consisting of Asia Programs was established on January 1, 2010 through support from the Rajawali Foundation in Indonesia. The new Institute is designed to bring together academics and practitioners from around the world to enhance research, teaching, and training on public policy and governance issues of critical importance in Asia. The gift also established the HKS Indonesia Program, which promotes research, education, and capacity building in support of democratic governance and institutional development in Indonesia.
Both the Institute for Asia and the HKS Indonesia Program are housed within the Ash Center. Other Institute for Asia programs include its China Public Policy Program, Vietnam Program, and HKS Singapore Program. The Institute also supports Rajawali Fellows, a host of academics and public practitioners with independent research projects relevant to Asia. Its annual China Goes Global Conference examines the impact of the internationalization of Chinese firms.
In addition to the Innovations in American Government Awards Program, the Innovations in Government Program includes five additional projects that work together to produce a cohesive marketplace for best practices and successful innovations in the public sector. These include the following projects: the Liaison Group for Innovations in Governance and Public Action; the Project on Municipal Innovation; the Forum on Networked Governance; the Social Innovation Project; Better, Faster, Cheaper—Smart Ideas for Government; and the Program on Crisis Leadership.
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