Our Mission
Babel Institute is an independent, nonpartisan think tank dedicated to shaping public policy with a focus on young people.
Founded in 2025, Babel brings together young leaders, scholars, and policymakers to ensure that the voices and perspectives of the next generation inform the decisions that shape their future. Through research, education, and community engagement, Babel develops policy recommendations that are practical, just, and people-centered.
At the heart of this mission is Verity, the publishing arm of Babel Institute and its youth opinion and storytelling platform. Verity hosts the Institute’s research, policy briefs, and reports, and it also features both policy-focused op-eds and personal narratives contributed by young people worldwide. By presenting both rigorous analysis and lived experience on policy challenges such as immigration and migration, climate change, education reform, youth justice, and affordable housing, the platform ensures that youth perspectives inform policy discussions and recommendations in ways that reflect their realities and respond directly to the challenges they face.
Our Name
In the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, humanity sought to build a tower to “reach the heavens.” As punishment for their hubris, God scattered them across the earth and confused their language so they could no longer understand one another. The tower was left unfinished, and humanity divided.
At Babel Institute, we take inspiration from this story not as a symbol of arrogance and defiance, but as a reminder of humanity’s first attempt to come together around a common purpose.
What was once a story of dispersal is now our mandate to assemble — to bring the youth of the world together, not to reach the heavens, but to influence public policy. Through one language and one voice, we work to create a more peaceful and just world.
Vision
We envision a future where young people are recognized as essential partners in governance and policymaking. Equipped with knowledge and a collective voice, they shape education systems, expand economic opportunities, reimagine community safety, and advance democratic participation. Babel Institute is committed to placing youth at the center of public policy worldwide.
Our Approach
Babel Institute advances its mission through a Five-part strategy:
1. Research and Analysis:
We conduct rigorous, data-driven research that translates the perspectives and lived experiences of young people into actionable policy recommendations. Our work prioritizes issues that directly shape youth futures—education, economic mobility, community safety, migration and immigration, and democratic participation.
3. Education and Leadership Development:
We equip emerging youth leaders and scholars with the tools to engage in policymaking at local, national, and global levels. Through programs, fellowships, and workshops, Babel builds the next generation of policymakers, community organizers, and scholars.
2. Verity:
Verity is the publishing arm of Babel Institute. The platform hosts the Institute’s research, policy briefs, essays, and reports, while also bringing young people into policy conversations by linking their stories and opinions directly to debates on issues such as immigration, climate change, education reform, youth justice, and affordable housing.
4. Policy Engagement and Advocacy:
We conduct rigorous, data-driven research that translates the perspectives and lived experiences of young people into actionable policy recommendations. Our work prioritizes issues that directly shape youth futures—education, economic mobility, community safety, migration and immigration, and democratic participation.
5. Community Outreach:
We equip emerging youth leaders and scholars with the tools to engage in policymaking at local, national, and global levels. Through programs, fellowships, and workshops, Babel builds the next generation of policymakers, community organizers, and scholars.