The Federal Judges Association is a voluntary not-for-profit association of judges nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate under Article III of the Constitution. The FJA is devoted to seeking the highest quality of justice for the people of the United States, including by preserving and protecting the independence of the judicial branch, a fundamental principle embodied in the Constitution of the United States. 

At its annual meeting in April 2011, the FJA Board approved the undertaking of a civics education initiative to enhance public understanding of the Constitution, the role of the courts, judicial independence and the rule of law. 

This project, which is being undertaken in cooperation with the FMJA and the NCBJ and is supported by funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, is consistent with the federal judiciary’s long-range focus on the improvement of court communications with the public and support of enhanced civics education. “Communicat[ion] and collaborat[ion] with organizations outside the judicial branch to improve the public’s understanding of the role and functions of the federal judiciary” is identified specifically as a Goal in the Strategic Plan for the Federal Judiciary that was adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 2010.[1]

Many individual judges and courts are already deeply involved in civic education efforts at the local, regional and national level. Those efforts encourage the FJA to believe that enhancement of judicial civics education efforts and resources can have a very positive long-term impact on Americans’ understanding, respect and support for a fair and impartial, independent judiciary. 

The Federal Magistrate Judges Association is a voluntary not-for-profit association of federal trial judges who serve in accordance with Article I of the U.S. Constitution. The FMJA is devoted to promoting cooperation among the Magistrate Judges, and supporting the administration of the magistrate judges system by meeting with members of Congress, the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court regarding policy issues concerning its member judges. The Association further seeks to educate the public about the importance of the magistrate judge system and working through its rules committee seeks to influence positive change in various rules of procedure affecting federal courts. 

As part of its mission, the NCBJ, through various committees, provides public outreach and education  regarding the impact of bankruptcy on the public’s lives and livelihood, the impact of bankruptcy law on non-bankruptcy legal rights and remedies, and the purpose and jurisdiction of the bankruptcy courts.  

In 2011, in connection with its public outreach efforts, the NCBJ , together  with the FJA and FJMA  became involved in  the Civic Education Task Force initiative to provide a web-based  library of resources  for federal judges  to access to teach civics to various sectors of the public. 

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