One of the recommendations for strengthening democracy proposed in Our Common Purpose - the report of a bipartisan Academy commission - is expanding national service. To support that initiative, the Academy partnered with organizational leaders in the national service field to develop a better understanding of why people serve and how to increase engagement. This article shares key findings from that effort.

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences and America’s Service Commissions convened a virtual launch event to share findings from new public opinion research on young Americans' views about participating in a year of national service.