The Tucson Institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt educational charity for better citizenship. Its main mission is to educate the public to develop skills and methods to speak and listen to each other, and to understand the common values we share as Americans as well as our differences. Our founding document (September 1993) identifies as one of our basic goals "to attract people of all ages, through educational activities and discussions, to take active roles in society and improve their capablities to participate in public affairs for the benefit of the community."

The Tucson Institute runs the Common Sense Movement. Its philosophy is discussed in Miklos N. Szilagyi's book How To Save Our Country.

We believe that

• common sense is the key to solving many complex problems
• problems should be attacked at their core and not at the surface
• the most important fundamental principle is individual responsibility
• no society can survive without a set of generally accepted basic values and standards
• society's various problems are mutually interconnected with each other
• our educational, governmental, and political systems need fundamental changes
• citizens must learn to listen to each other, reach common ground, and express themselves through collective action
• ideas are more important than partisan ideologies

The Tucson Institute also sponsors the following activities:

• public lectures on current national and international issues
• nationally available, custom-designed seminars that emphasize dialogue
• the Common Sense Forum, a regular monthly discussion group in the Tucson area
• global discussions through Internet newsgroups

We have published 38 issues of The New Common Sense, a gutsy newsletter for better citizenship. These isssues are available by request.

Our programs contribute to the University of Arizona's educational and community outreach activities. The Tucson Institute is a member of the Alliance for National Renewal. We are currently supported by private donations. Some of our programs have been supported by the Arizona Humanities Council.

We invite you to join The Tucson Institute by becoming a member. Membership is $25 per year. Your first year's membership includes a free copy of How To Save Our Country. Please send your membership fees and donations to The Tucson Institute, PO Box 64921, Tucson, AZ 85728. Memberships and donations are tax-deductible. Thank you!

You may also contribute to the Tucson Institute by working as a volunteer, participating in the Common Sense Forum, or forming a local chapter in your community.

For more information, please send email to mns@ece.arizona.edu.

Please let us know your ideas. Let us hear what goals and activities you are willing to support. You can make a difference!

Click here to return to Miklos N. Szilagyi's homepage.