The Institute for People's Engagment (IPE) is focused on educating citizens about the importance of civic engagement and participation in municipal, state and federal policy formation. Of particular concern are public policies conducive to the promotion of world peace and disarmament; environmental and climate protection; equitable and excellent public education; promoting policies and procedures to increase input of taxpayers in municipal, state and federal budget formation; and increasing input of the public and passengers in the formation of public transit investment policies and other civic and social welfare needs.
We are particulary concerned with public policies that have very large impacts on the citizenry, but are insulated from public scrutiny and input. Examples include the construction and annual passage of the Congressional discretionary budget, and the setting and passage of state, municipal and school budgets. An extreme example of public exclusion is nuclear weapons policy, in which the President can launch a nuclear war without even Congressional approval.
Efforts in the arena of the Congressional Budget and peaceful investment of our income tax dollars are in collaboration with the Mass Coalition for a People's Budget and Mass Peace Action. Activities in the arena of nuclear disarmament are in collaboration with Massacusetts Peace Action, MIT Radius, American Friends Service Committee, Pax Christi and the Future of Life Institute.
The Institute maintains this website, publishes periodic reports and newsletters, and organizes occasional public forums on issues of concern. The Organization may engage in any other lawful activities as are permitted to a corporation organized under Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts General Laws, subject to Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code as it may from time to time be amended.
The work of the IPE is carried out by its predominantly by its Officers and Board members with the assistance of numerous working committee members.