Trenton has played a defining role in shaping the nation’s democracy from its leadership in the American Revolution to its pivotal influence on the creation of the U.S. Constitution. In 1786, New Jersey was one of only five states to call for the Annapolis Convention, a gathering that ultimately set the stage for replacing the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution we know today. That effort was championed by New Jersey leaders who demanded that the federal government address the challenges of interstate and international trade, concerns later written directly into the Constitution by Trenton native David Brearley, Jr., chair of the influential Committee of Eleven.
Today, as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of that historic convention, New Jersey is once again stepping forward by drafting a resolution to create a statewide program, “Of, By and For the People National Youth Camp”. Once in-place, this legislation will recognize that the forces reshaping American life - especially the rapid advances in technology and artificial intelligence - require the same kind of bold, future‑focused thinking that New Jersey demonstrated in 1786. And it acknowledges something equally important: the next generation must be at the center of that conversation.
Across the country, cities are reinventing themselves. Trenton, our Downtown is evolving, experimenting, and searching for new identities in a post‑industrial, post‑pandemic, tech‑driven era. The timing could not be more urgent, nor the opportunity more powerful. Young people are digital natives who navigate emerging technologies instinctively and are uniquely equipped to imagine what vibrant, inclusive, future‑ready cities can become. Bringing them into this process is not only wise; it is essential.
By calling for a national youth convocation and inviting students from across the country to engage with the challenges and possibilities of technological change, New Jersey offers both national leadership and a meaningful introduction to one of America’s most historic cities. Trenton, once a crossroads of the Revolution and now a city poised for renewal , becomes the perfect setting for young people to explore how history, technology, and civic responsibility intersect.
This legislation positions New Jersey not just as a steward of the past, but as a catalyst for the future empowering youth to help shape the next chapter of American democracy while experiencing firsthand the promise of a revitalizing urban landscape.
Today, the NJ Legislature can see a parallel moment. Just as the founders confronted the challenges of their time, our society now faces profound questions about the role of rapidly advancing technologies, especially artificial intelligence in everyday life. These technologies shape commerce, medicine, transportation, government services, and the flow of information, yet our national laws offer few clear protections or guidelines for how they should be used responsibly.
To honor New Jersey’s historic leadership and to meet the needs of the future, we are calling on our Legislature to propose that the state host a national youth‑led convocation in 2036, marking the 250th anniversary of the Annapolis Convention. This gathering would bring together young people from across the country; middle school, high school, and college students to study the impacts of emerging technologies and develop recommendations for how our laws and democratic systems should evolve to protect citizens’ rights, privacy, and security.
To make this possible, the Legislature currently has in its hands a resolution that would authorize the New Jersey Historical Commission, working with the Department of Education, to create a statewide program that will:
To support this work, the Commission would partner with other state agencies, local governments, and private organizations through public‑private partnerships.
In the spirit of New Jersey’s historic role in strengthening American democracy, this initiative empowers the next generation who will live most fully in a technology‑shaped world to help guide the nation toward a safer, more transparent, more participatory and equitable future. But realizing this vision will require leadership equal to the moment. As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Annapolis Convention, New Jersey has a rare opportunity to lead once again by bringing this youth‑driven national convocation home to Trenton.
We are calling upon our state and federal legislators to champion this effort, lend their voices, and ensure the resources and support needed to make “Of, By and For the People National Youth Camp” a reality. By standing behind this work, our elected leaders can help position New Jersey and its capital city as the place where young people from across the country come together to shape the future of technology, democracy, and civic life. “Of, By and For the People National Youth Camp” will be officially announcing the resolution at the "Democracy Reborn" celebrations in Mill Hill Park on the 4th, hosted by Trenton Kiwanis...after the parade.
The moment is here, the need is clear, and the path forward begins with committed legislative support to bring this historic undertaking to Trenton.