The Promise of Democracy Summit: 250 Years and the Path Ahead

In 2026, Philadelphia, the birthplace of American democracy, will mark a pivotal milestone—the 250th anniversary of the United States. This momentous occasion calls for a reflection on the nation's democratic journey, from the ideals of equality and liberty embedded in the Declaration of Independence to the ongoing work toward a more perfect union. 

The Committee of Seventy (C70) is organizing “The Promise of Democracy: 250 Years and the Path Ahead,” a summit designed to celebrate American democracy while facilitating a necessary dialogue about strengthening its future. This summit will offer an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with a diverse range of leaders—policymakers, educators, activists, and engaged citizens—who will address current challenges and actionable solutions for building a more inclusive democracy.

The summit will take place from July 15-16, 2026 in Philadelphia, convening approximately 250 attendees, including civic leaders, educators, and policymakers.

The event kicks off with an opening night keynote by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham at The National Constitution Center on July 15th. This event is open to the public; get your tickets here! Meacham brings historical perspective to today’s debates over democracy, leadership, civic trust, and national identity. Drawing lessons from the nation’s past, he will explore the responsibilities of citizenship and the enduring work of sustaining democratic institutions and the common good.

Then on July 16th, invited guests will gather on the University of Pennsylvania campus for a full day of sessions. This includes panels featuring nationally recognized speakers across a range of topics. Tickets are sold out for the Thurs panels, but follow C70 on social media and on our website for exciting content. Tickets are still available for Wednesday! 

Guardrails of Democracy: Defending the Rule of Law

The rule of law is a foundational pillar of democratic stability. This session examines how legal institutions hold up under political pressure and how recent events are shaping public understanding of constitutional norms. Leaders in law, civil rights, and national security will discuss what is required to preserve the integrity of democratic systems.

Panelists:

• David Becker, Executive Director & Founder, Center for Election Innovation & Research (CEIR)

• Jeh Johnson, Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and co-chair of the Board of Trustees at Columbia University

• Judge John Jones III, former U.S. District Court judge, current president of Dickinson College

• Mary Smith, American Bar Association former president; Task Force for American Democracy

Moderated by Kermit Roosevelt, Professor for the Administration of Justice, UPenn Law School

The Information Crisis: Media, Trust, and Democracy

Americans are navigating an information environment that is more complex and divided than ever. This session considers how to stem the spread of misinformation, what drives the erosion of trust, and how traditional media organizations and online influencers can respond. Journalists and scholars will examine pressures on modern newsrooms and discuss how to support a healthier information ecosystem ahead of 2026.

Panelists:

• Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Director of UPenn Annenberg Public Policy Center; creator of Factcheck.org

• Renee DiResta, Georgetown University, former research manager at Stanford Internet Observatory 

• Rachel Lobdell, Executive Director of News Creator Corps 

Moderated by Errin Haines, Editor at Large, The 19th*

The Participation Gap: Understanding and Reducing Voter Apathy

Voter turnout remains highly uneven across age, race, geography, and socioeconomic status. This session explores what drives disengagement and what motivates participation. Pollsters, analysts, and civic leaders will examine insights from national research and identify strategies to convert apathy into meaningful democratic involvement.

Panelists:

• Rich Thau, President of Engagious and Creator of the Swing Voter Project

• Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League

• Al Schmidt, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

• Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States

Moderated by Heidi Przybyla, Founder, Get Real News

Bridging the Divide: Paths to Reducing Political Polarization

Polarization now defines American public life across culture, politics, and community. This bipartisan panel examines what fuels division and what can help bridge it. The session explores leadership models, reforms that encourage cooperation, media pressures, and practical strategies for strengthening trust and dialogue across differences.

Panelists:

• Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, U.S. Congresswoman, PA-06 and Air Force Veteran

• Matt Levendusky, Director, Institutions of Democracy, UPenn Annenberg Public Policy Center

• Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President & CEO of Global Refuge

• Max Stier, CEO, Partnership for Public Service

Moderated by Michael Smerconish, Host of The Michael Smerconish Program and Host of CNN’s Smerconish

The Rebalance of Power: Congress Reclaiming Its Role

When the framers drafted the Constitution in Philadelphia 239 years ago, one of the most crucial components they agreed upon was a system of checks and balances across the federal government. Those checks are significantly weakened in modern day governance. Panelists will consider how the different branches, particularly Congress, can rebalance the scales. 

Panelists:

• Jim Gerlach, former United States Congressman from Pennsylvania

• Ramesh Ponnuru, nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute

• Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, U.S. Congresswoman, PA-05

• Glenn Nye, President & CEO of the Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress, former United States Congressman from Virginia

Moderated by Sarah Glover, Vice President of News & Civic Dialogue at WHYY

Plenary Keynote - David Brooks and Roxane Gay

The summit will conclude with a closing plenary featuring a conversation with Roxane Gay (contributing opinion writer at The New York Times and bestselling author) and David Brooks (The Atlantic, PBS News Hour, and former columnist for The New York Times). It will be moderated by Cherri Gregg (WHYY, host of “Studio 2”). 

All sessions will be recorded and distributed through our partnerships with WHYY and The Philadelphia Citizen, ensuring the summit's impact and legacy extend far beyond the in-person event.