The Program for Democratic Values and Practices (DVP) supports college and university level education for principled and responsible citizenship in a diverse democracy.

We challenge higher education to provide students with formative experiences that shape not just how they think but their way of being. Colleges and universities should strive to cultivate graduates who possess integrity, embrace diversity, and are committed to social justice. These are essential democratic values and the foundations for responsible citizenship.

Best practices around values, however, do not mean that campuses carve out space for reflective thinking and raising social consciences only. It also means that campuses cultivate the arts of democracy necessary to put values into action. What are the arts of democracy? They include the ability to engage in meaningful dialogue on even the most divisive issues, to identify and frame issues from multiple perspectives, to build teams and cultivate relationships and support, to design action strategies, and lead initiatives in ways that are both collaborative and efficient. DVP's purpose is to strengthen the symbiotic relationship between character and competence, conscience and skills, substance and process.