History
The Askew Institute is
named in honor of former Governor Reubin O'Donovan Askew (1971-1979).
Acknowledged as one of the ten best governors of the 20th century, Governor
Askew is known for his personal integrity and his commitment to racial justice,
transparency in government, and environmental protection. He remains an active
participant in the Institute and holds the Eminent Scholar Chair in Florida
Government and Politics at Florida State University.
The Institute was created in 1994 to bring Floridians together to discuss critical issues facing the
state. For much of the second half of the twentieth century, citizen engagement
in public life has declined dramatically as Florida’s population growth
exceeded 1,000 people per day and as different ethnic, age, and racial groups
located to Florida. In the wake of this tremendous growth, Florida witnessed a
loss of civic engagement, a decline in community, and increasing political
conflicts over issues of concern to particular groups. The founders of the
Institute viewed the deterioration of community and civic discourse and the
age, ethnic, and racial divisions in Florida as detrimental to the health of
the state’s democracy and to its citizens, and focused its programs on
rebuilding civic engagement, mutual understanding, and community.
With grant funding from the John Scott Dailey Institute of Government at Florida
State University, periodic funding from state and national foundations, and
with private funds raised by Governor Askew and David Colburn, the Askew
Institute was launched in the mid-1990s as a statewide forum for the citizens
and policy leaders of the state. The following are a few examples of topics
considered at the Askew Institute statewide forum: "Florida and the Global
Economy; " "The Graying of Florida;" “Democracy and the Economy
in Florida at a Time of National Crisis;” “The Health Care Crisis:
Seeking Solutions for Florida and the Nation;” “Confronting the Public
Education Challenge in Florida and the Nation;” and “How Should Florida’s Water
Supply be Managed in Response to Growth?”
The Askew Institute is an affiliate of the John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government and works closely with the FIG each year. The goal of the Institute remains focused on building
citizen engagement and understanding through education, research, and
especially through outreach. The Askew Institute also seeks to complement the
efforts of the other Institute Affiliates and statewide organizations that are
dedicated to civic engagement, enhancing the quality of life for Floridians,
and preserving and protecting the state’s environment.
