From Student to Advocate: My Journey in Strengthening Democracy Through Education
Alejandro J. Ramos, United States of America
I was born and raised in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, the son of immigrant parents who believed deeply in the promise of the United States. I grew up understanding that democracy was more than a word in a textbook — it was the reason my family’s story was possible. Yet for much of my youth, real civic engagement felt like something distant, something reserved for politicians, professors, or people far more experienced than me. That changed when I entered higher education and began to see the gap between democratic ideals and democratic realities — particularly in the realm of civic education.
While attending Sacred Heart University and later Cornell University, I began to notice an unsettling trend: my peers were mostly politically aware, but often lacked the tools to engage critically and constructively in public life. Many could name the latest political controversy but struggled to explain how a bill becomes a law, or how to evaluate whether a source of information was credible. In an era of polarization and misinformation, that gap wasn’t just an academic concern — it was a democratic crisis.
This realization pushed me to act. While still a student, I founded the Ramos Research Institute (RRI), a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening civic engagement, advancing media literacy, and promoting democratic values through research and education. We began as a small team of volunteers, but our mission was — and remains — ambitious: to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to navigate political complexity and contribute meaningfully to democratic life.
Of all the projects we have taken on, the one that defines my journey most is the Citizenship Empowerment Framework (CEF). This initiative brings together research assistants from universities across the United States to examine how civic education can be modernized to meet the needs of today’s students. Our work analyzes policy trends, compares international models, and ultimately aims to develop a practical framework that can be implemented in classrooms. Leading this project has taught me that democracy is not only preserved through laws and elections, but through the daily work of teaching people how to participate in it.
The path has not been without challenges. As a young nonprofit leader with no budget and no paid staff, I’ve often had to convince people twice: first, that civic education deserves urgent attention, and second, that someone my age could lead that effort effectively. There have been moments of burnout, especially when balancing my graduate studies with organizational responsibilities. And yet, each time I’ve questioned whether the effort is worth it, I’ve been reminded -often by the students I work with -that the fight for democracy is built on persistence.
In my region, I see democracy evolving in both encouraging and troubling ways. Young people are increasingly vocal, mobilizing around causes that matter to them. But many are also withdrawing from formal political engagement, disillusioned by partisan conflict and the perception that institutions no longer work for them. This tension reinforces why education is essential: informed, empowered citizens are better equipped to demand accountability and to build bridges rather than walls.
What gives me hope is the resilience I see in my peers. I think of the students in our research teams who spend their weekends drafting policy proposals; of the international partners who share our belief that democracy is strengthened through dialogue; and of the countless individuals who, without fanfare or recognition, show up for their communities day after day. Democracy is not an abstract ideal – it is lived in moments of unity, in the willingness to listen, and in the courage to act.
As the Community of Democracies marks its 25th anniversary, I am reminded that each generation inherits not only the rights secured by those before us, but also the responsibility to safeguard and expand them. My journey has taught me that democracy depends on more than institutions – it depends on people who believe in its promise and are willing to work for it. I am committed to being one of those people, and to inspiring others to join me.
