PHILADELPHIA, PA — More than 60 young adults from across the country gathered February 17 at the National Constitution Center to draft and sign a youth-written document titled “Our Declaration,” outlining their commitments and vision for the nation’s next 250 years.
The event was part of Youth250, a national initiative led by Made By Us as the United States prepares for its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. Portions of the program were broadcast on C-SPAN and are available at https://www.c-span.org/.
Organizers said participants took part in workshops, panel discussions and performances focused on civic engagement and generational perspectives. The gathering concluded with the signing of a large-format declaration scroll.
Alex Edgar, youth engagement manager at Made By Us and co-founder of Youth250, said participants came to Philadelphia “to write, sign, and claim ownership over a new Declaration that reflects the country we intend to build.”
The signed document will travel to museums and institutions nationwide in the months leading up to July 4, 2026, according to organizers.
The program included a talk by PolicyLink President and CEO Michael McAfee and a response panel of national leaders who engaged with youth perspectives on civic responsibility.
Youth250 includes a network of 100 paid youth advisors working with institutions across the country and a Gen Z Scorecard adopted by more than 400 organizations, organizers said. The initiative continues through July 4, 2026, and includes Civic Season, a nationwide engagement period between Juneteenth and Independence Day.
For Philadelphia and the surrounding region, the event places local institutions at the center of national preparations for the semiquincentennial.
More information is available at https://historymadebyus.org/youth250/our-declaration.
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