It is the means by which a democracy is built, and it is a standard against which democracies should be measured.
Participation is a fundamental right of citizenship.
This fall, architecture offices throughout the state of Washington will host local youth groups at their offices to participate in Messages from Young Leaders 2000. The program provides an excellent opportunity to learn about architecture and see how to bring about change through the political process. They will work on the assignment during three visits to an architect's office in their local area, including a brainstorming session, design session, and a town meeting with local officials. Their ideas on learning environments will be posted on a web site, along with comments from K-12 educators and designers. It is part of Architecture Week, a series of events that brings individuals and organizations together to celebrate the designed environment.