Also Fall 2013 | Vol. 15, No. 3

Public Pensions: Promises with a Price Understanding What Trust It Means to be Muslim The Pew Charitable Trusts

A SeaAmerica’s Change new focus on its waters PLUS: Leon Panetta on the world’s oceans kn Notes from the President

has some of the best-managed The Art and Beauty of Compromise ocean waters because of our science-based catch limits. And today Pew is taking this Thomas Jefferson, in an 1824 letter to Louisiana congress- example of accomplishment to the world stage with the launch man Edward Livingston, wrote, “A government held together of the Global Ocean Commission at Oxford University. by the bands of reason requires much compromise of opinion.” The pursuit of compromise and shared goals is also at work At The Pew Charitable Trusts, we help address some of soci- in state capitols and in our cities. Policymakers throughout the ety’s most difficult challenges through research and action that is nation are grappling with large, underfunded pension plans evidence-based, nonpartisan, and results-oriented. As such, our promised to state and local public employees—a problem fraught work, too, is “held together by the bands of reason.” And what with potential conflict. But Kentucky has shown that workable Jefferson observed about government is equally true of Pew’s solutions are possible. After years of stalemate, lawmakers there efforts: Reason requires dialogue and principled compromise. created a bipartisan commission to study the state’s underfunded The art and beauty of informed compromise, sometimes lost public pensions. Pew served as an adviser to the task force, whose today, is that it can help diverse parties achieve mutual goals members refused to be disagreeable even when they disagreed. without abandoning their core values. This is why Pew brings The Republican-controlled Senate favored replacing the defined- people of varying interests together, to find shared purpose benefit plan (a traditional pension) with a defined-contribution and common ground—for that is how and where meaningful plan (such as a 401[k]). The Democratic-controlled House of results are achieved. Representatives argued that was too risky for workers. But with This issue of Trust reports on three examples of Pew’s work technical assistance from Pew, the two sides came together and in which the power of knowledge led to edu- cation, informed decisions, and real progress. A decade ago, the Pew Oceans Commission Pew brings people of varying interests together issued a landmark report that changed how we to find shared purpose and common ground. view our nation’s coastal waters. The commis- sion brought together leaders from science, fishing, conservation, created a hybrid plan, borrowing the best elements of both kinds government and academia. Not surprisingly, these experts in of pensions. The reform package is expected to save Kentucky their fields often disagreed. Participants brought to the table a and its localities billions while protecting the retirement security perspective from their own experience about how to protect the of current and future workers. oceans. But through their meetings and public hearings, the com- To make progress like this possible, the first step often is mission members built mutual respect, which in turn developed understanding diverse points of view. This knowledge can lead trust in each other and an openness to constructive compromise. to tolerance, civility, and reasoned dialogue. The Pew Research This led to two important agreements. The first was a shared Center’s religion and public life project, for example, has studied acknowledgement that economic sustainability requires envi- the attitudes, beliefs, and practices of the world’s 1.6 billion ronmental sustainability. The second was a series of recom- Muslims. It surveyed 38,000 people in face-to-face interviews mendations for which the commission’s chairman, the gifted in 39 countries, and the responses provide new insights into public servant Leon Panetta, won unanimous support. They the unity and diversity of the Muslim community. Even more included restoring America’s fisheries, promoting education important, the study is helping build understanding of a grow- and research about ocean ecology, preserving our coasts, and ing faith in the United States. establishing new ocean protections. Fact-based compromise is more than an ideal—it is an indis- In the decade since the commission issued its report, the pensable tool for bringing together the best minds, moving past spirit of cooperation and respect that guided its deliberations misunderstanding, and solving problems. That is why for The has brought significant victories for America’s citizens. The Pew Charitable Trusts, bridging the differences that divide us commission gave new urgency to protecting the oceans, spurred and searching for the solutions that bind us will always inform creation of the nation’s first ocean policy to emphasize conserva- our work and give expression to our values. tion, and helped win bipartisan support in Congress for limits Rebecca W. Rimel on fishing that were based on science. The United States now President and CEO photograph by P eter O lson by photograph The Pew Charitable Trusts kn Contents

Board of directors Robert H. Campbell Susan W. Catherwood Aristides W. Georgantas J. Howard Pew II J.N. Pew IV, M.D. Mary Catharine Pew, M.D. R. Anderson Pew Sandy Ford Pew Rebecca W. Rimel Doris Pew Scott 10 18 Robert G. Williams 6 A Sea Change President and CEO Rebecca W. Rimel A decade ago, the Pew Oceans Commission found that America’s oceans were in crisis. What has happened since? By Doug Struck Senior Vice President For COMMUNICATIONS Melissa Skolfield 10 Q & A: Leon Panetta on the World’s Oceans Senior Director, The former chairman of the Pew Oceans Commission says, “We’ve got a great Editorial treasure in our oceans, and we have a responsibility to protect that treasure.” Ed Paisley Editor 14 Promises to Pay Daniel LeDuc Pew helped shed light on the billions of dollars in unfunded pension benefits Editorial Assistants promised to the nation’s state and local public employees. Now, it’s helping Anahi Baca states do something about it. By Robert Teitelman Benjamin Orlando

Contributing Writers John Briley 18 To Be Muslim Carol Hutchinson The Pew Research Center interviewed more than 38,000 Muslims around the Michael Remez globe to provide a deeper understanding of the beliefs and political views of Photo Editor members of the world’s second-largest religion. By Deborah Horan Katye Martens

Design/Art Direction David Herbick Design 2 Briefly Noted 30 lessons Learned New rules for imported foods and Evaluating Pew’s campaign to One Commerce Square other news address the problems of military 2005 Market Street, Suite 2800 and overseas voters Philadelphia, PA 19103-7077 24 News Phone 215-575-9050 Healthier Snacks for School Menus 32 Return on Investment 901 E Street NW, 10th Floor Some of Pew’s recent accomplishments oN the Record Washington, DC 20004-2037 26 Phone 202-552-2000 The Global Middle-Class Surge 36 Dispatch: St. Lawrence Island Bottleneck in the Bering Strait On the Internet: 28 Pew Partners www.pewtrusts.org The William and Flora Hewlett Inside Back Cover Foundation has worked with Pew for End Note a decade Racial Divides Remain

Who We Are: The Pew Charitable Trusts is a public charity driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Trust Working with partners and donors, Pew conducts fact-based research and Fall 2013 | Vol. 15, No. 3 rigorous analysis to improve policy, inform the public, and stimulate civic life.

The Pew Charitable Trusts Pew is the sole beneficiary of seven individual charitable funds established © 2013 The Pew Charitable Trusts between 1948 and 1979 by two sons and two daughters of Sun Oil Company ISSN: 1540-4587 founder Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew. photograph by P eter O lson by photograph

Cover photograph by Martin Klimek trust Fall 2013 1

Produce like this being unloaded in Philadelphia would be subject to new rules requiring importers to verify it was safe.

2010, was the first significant overhaul of the nation’s food safety laws in seven New Rules for Imported Foods decades. Enactment of the law and its implementation and funding have been a mericans receive about 15 per- could be engaged by food companies top priority of The Pew Charitable Trusts. cent of their food from over- in certain circumstances to make sure Pew worked with policymakers, con- seas—about half of all fresh imports are safe. sumer advocates, and the food industry fruits,A a fifth of fresh vegetables, and 80 Along with the release of the draft to advance the legislation, which was percent of seafood—and the U.S. Food rules on produce and processed foods considered a successful demonstration and Drug Administration has proposed in January 2013, the publication of the of bipartisanship in Washington. new rules to make that food safer. proposed food import rules this past The need for rules about imported uthority One rule would require, for the first summer means that finalization is near food shows how much Americans’ cook- time, that importers verify that the food for the key rules needed to put the FDA ing and eating habits have changed since they import is safe. The other would set Food Safety Modernization Act in ef- the nation began regulating food safety.

criteria for third-party auditors who fect. The law, which Congress passed in The food supply is increasingly global- A Philadel p hia Port

2 trust Fall 2013 ized—the 15 percent of food The Arc of Social Acceptance 58 percent say they have been now imported is double the Percent of LGBT adults who say that, Percent of LGBT adults who say subject to slurs or jokes; and compared with 10 years ago, society that, 10 years from now, society proportion of imports from is now.... of LGBT people will be .... of LGBT people 29 percent say they have been just a decade ago. made to feel unwelcome at a “The release of these draft place of worship. 92% rules means we are one step 92% “For the LGBT population, closer to a safer food supply, these are the best of times. But thanks to the bipartisan FDA that doesn’t mean they are easy food safety law. Once they’re times, or that their lives are in place, the rules will ensure uncomplicated,” says Paul Tay- that foreign foods are held to the More accepting lor, executive vice president No dierent same high safety standards as 4% 3% 1% Less accepting 6% 2% of the Pew Research Center. American products,” says San- No response “Many are still searching for a dra Eskin, who directs Pew’s comfortable place in a society food safety project. “This will Perceptions of Discrimination where acceptance is growing Percent of LGBT adults who say that they have .... because of their sexual better protect all of us.” orientation or gender identity but still limited.” FDA attempts to keep tabs Been subject Survey respondents attri- 16% 43% to slurs on food imports but manages or jokes bute more accepting attitudes Been rejected by a friend to inspect only 1 to 2 percent 6 33% or family member about LGBT Americans to a va-

of what comes through the na- Been threatened or riety of factors, such as people tion’s ports and borders. The 4 26% physically attacked knowing and interacting with Been made to feel new rules would require im- 6 23% unwelcomed others who are LGBT, advocacy porters to confirm that their in a place of worship on their behalf by high-profile Received poor service foreign suppliers are produc- 5 18% in a restaurant, hotel, public figures, and more LGBT or place of business Happened in ing safe food through various past year adults raising families. 5 16% Been treated unfairly Happened but means, such as audits, testing, by an employer not in past year The report also presents de- and record review. tails about the LGBT experience Pew is continuing to study the draft The survey found that 92 percent of in the United States. For example, just 56 rules to ensure they meet the goals of LGBT adults say society is more accepting percent say they have told their mother the new food safety laws. They mark “an of them today than 10 years ago. An equal about their sexual orientation or gender important improvement over the current 92 percent say they expect the public identity; fewer—39 percent—have told weak import system,” says Erik Olson, will be more accepting 10 years from their father. The survey finds that 12 is who oversees Pew’s food programs. now. Still, despite the optimism, just 19 the median age at which lesbian, gay, and —Daniel LeDuc percent say there is a lot of acceptance bisexual adults first felt they might be For more information, go to pewstrusts.org/ for LGBT people today. A majority—59 something other than heterosexual. For foodsafety. percent—says there is some, while 21 those who are certain about their orien- percent say there is little or no acceptance. tation or gender identity, the realization The center conducted its first na- came at a median age of 17. Acceptance for tional survey of LGBT adults in April The report looks at differences among LGBT People is at a time of great national debate about groups within the LGBT population, as gay rights and just ahead of two U.S. well as attitudes among group members Growing But... Supreme Court rulings that bolstered as a whole on a range of topics, such as esbian, gay, bisexual, and trans- the legal basis for same-sex marriage. political affiliation, the importance of gender adults see American so- The report includes examples of the various policy issues, and the friendliness uthority ciety as more accepting of them stigmatization faced by many LGBT of various institutions—including politi- Lin recent years—and they expect that adults. About 4 in 10 say that at some cal parties, the media, and the Obama movement to continue—but many still point they were rejected by a family administration—to LGBT Americans. feel stigmatized, according to a recent member or close friend because of their The survey was administered on-

hia Port A Philadel p hia Port survey by the Pew Research Center. sexual orientation or gender identity; line, a survey mode that researchers say

trust fall 2013 3 tends to produce more honest answers about it to aid inves- on sensitive topics than do other less tigations into illegal anonymous modes of survey-taking. fishing. The notice —Michael Remez is part of Interpol’s For more information, go to pewresearch.org/lgbt. continued focus on illegal fishing, called Project Scale, which is Reimagining a partnership among the agency, the govern- Benjamin Franklin’s ment of Norway, and Home for the Next The Pew Charitable Trusts. The Norwegian Generation government requested he Princess phones are gone, the Purple Notice. replaced by computer anima- Illegal, unreport- tion and interactive exhibits. ed, and unregulated TA dark ramp is history, replaced with a fishing is a significant well-lighted, welcoming staircase and environmental, secu- modern glass. Original objects are dis- rity, and economic played, helping to bring a great man to The Benjamin Franklin Museum reopened in Philadelphia to threat. This illicit life. And the revamped and reimagined introduce a new generation of visitors to the Founding Father. activity results in 26 Benjamin Franklin Museum is receiving museum which reopened at the end of million metric tons of fish taken from visitors in Philadelphia. the summer. Philadelphia Inquirer archi- the oceans each year. Those responsible Built for the nation’s bicentennial tecture critic Inga Saffron, for one, was also are often involved in other illegal more than three decades ago, the un- pleased with the result, writing, “Just activities such as drug and arms smug- derground museum had fallen into as the experts predicted, everything is gling and human trafficking, according disrepair in recent years. It was once different. But different is also better.” to law enforcement officials. considered to be cutting edge: Visitors —Carol Hutchinson Fishing vessels are especially tough could listen to recordings of the “Found- For more information, go to pewtrusts.org and click to track because, unlike merchant ships ing Fathers” on the phones. Lately, how- on “Philadelphia Region.” or even automobiles, they are not re- ever, it had become difficult to find one quired to have unique and permanent that worked. Other exhibits were pain- identifying numbers. They can—as fully outdated as well. The building at Interpol Targets authorities said the Snake has done— Franklin Court, the former site of the Illegal Fishing change names and registration quickly. statesman’s 18th-century home, was “This is the first time Interpol’s net- plagued by leaks. he Snake is a 230-foot fish- work has been used to combat illegal The Pew Charitable Trusts has a ing vessel that authorities say fishing,” says Lisbeth Berg-Hansen, Nor- long record of supporting Philadelphia’s boasts a lengthy record of ille- way’s minister of fisheries and coastal historical and cultural attractions, in- Tgal fishing. The ship changed names at affairs. “Cooperation through Interpol is cluding the Liberty Bell Pavilion, the least a dozen times over the past decade, a new tool in the fight against fisheries National Constitution Center, the Inde- registered under the flag of at least eight crime, and I am glad that Norway has pendence Visitor Center, and the Barnes countries, and now has made history as been able to take a leading role in this Foundation museum. the first ship designated with a “Purple cooperation.”

So Pew worked with philanthropist Notice” from Interpol. The Purple Notice reports that the obia H.F. Lenfest, the William Penn Foun- The international police organiza- Commission for the Conservation of dation, and the John S. and James L. tion’s designation is a “most wanted” Antarctic Marine Living Resources and Knight Foundation, as well as the city, notice to port officials and other enforce- the South East Atlantic Fisheries Or- state, and federal governments, on a ment agencies to be on the lookout for ganization have blacklisted the Snake,

three-year effort to restore the Franklin the ship and gather more information which means it can be denied fishing Peter T p h by p hotogra

4 trust Fall 2013 permits and port entry. strong sense of belonging to the Jewish Peril and Promise “This type of response—alerting people, but that the percentage of adults authorities to suspect fishing vessels—is who call themselves Jewish has declined of a Longer Life exactly what Pew envisioned when we by about half since the late 1950s and he concept of old age is chang- decided to support Project Scale,” says is currently less than 2 percent. The ing. Americans today routinely Tony Long, who directs Pew’s illegal number of Americans with direct Jewish live longer than did previous fishing project. ancestry or upbringing who consider Tgenerations, and some futurists predict —John Briley themselves Jewish but also describe that medical advances eventually could For more information, go to pewenvironment.org/ themselves as atheist, agnostic, or hav- allow people to remain healthy and endillegalfishing. ing no particular religion is rising and is productive to age 120 or more. now about 0.5 percent of the U.S. adult But many Americans see peril as population. More than 1 in 5 Jews—22 well as promise in such possibilities, A Portrait of percent—describe themselves as hav- according to a recent survey by the Pew Jewish Americans ing no religion. Research Center. Fifty-six percent say Ninety-three percent of Jews from they personally would not want medical ewish identity in America is the World War II generation describe treatments that slow aging and allow changing, with an increasing themselves as Jewish on the basis of people to live “to at least 120 years”; 38 number of Jews saying they are religion. By contrast, slightly fewer than percent say they would. Still, 68 percent Jnot religious, marrying outside the faith, 7 in 10 Jews in the youngest generation say other people would want medical and not raising their children Jewish. of U.S. adults, known as the millenni- treatments that slow their aging; 27 The findings come from the first als, identify as Jews by religion, and 32 percent say most would not. major survey of American Jews in more percent say they have no religion and Asked about the consequences for than a decade, conducted by the Pew identify as Jewish based on ancestry, society if new treatments could slow Research Center. It finds that Jews in ethnicity, or culture. the aging process and allow people to the United States overwhelmingly say “Differences by generation are very live longer, 51 percent say that would be they are proud to be Jewish and have a stark,” says Alan Cooperman, deputy bad for society; 41 percent say it would director of Pew's religion and public life be good. Jewish Identity By Generation project. “Older Jews are Jews by religion. Cary Funk, a senior researcher with Younger Jews are Jews of no religion.” Pew’s religion and public life project, Jews who identify themselves by religion The shift reflects what is happening in says the survey grew out of discussions Jews who identify themselves by ancestry but not religion the broader U.S. public. Pew surveys find with religious leaders, bioethicists, and 7% 14% that Americans as a whole are shunning others about the morality of biomedical any religious affiliation. The 22 percent advances—for the first time seen as in of Jews who say they have no religion is the realm of the possible—that could 93% 86% similar to the 20 percent of the overall lead to significant extensions of life. public who answer “none” when asked How long do Americans want to live? 1914–1927 1928–1945 about religious affiliation, and the 32 Sixty-nine percent cite an age between percent of Jews ages 18-29 who say they 79 and 100. The median ideal life span have no religion is the same as the per- is 90 years, about 11 years longer than 19% 26% centage of all millennials who say “none.” the current average U.S. life expectancy, 81% 74% The survey finds that when Jews of which is 78.7 years. On balance, the no religion are compared with religious public tends to view medical advances 1946–1964 1965–1980 Jews, they “are not only less religious that prolong life as generally good—63

obia but also much less connected to Jewish percent of respondents—rather than organizations and much less likely to as interfering with the natural cycle 32% 22% be raising their children Jewish.” of life—32 percent. 68% 78% —Daniel LeDuc —Michael Remez

For more information, go to pewresearch.org/ For more information, go to pewforum.org/

h by Peter T p h by p hotogra 1981–PresentAll Adults jewish-americans living-to-120.

trust Fall 2013 5 A Sea

A decade ago, the Pew Oceans Commission Changefound that America’s oceans were in crisis. What has happened since?

By Doug Struck

The Atlantic Ocean laps ashore at Cape Elizabeth, ME. The Pew Oceans Commission spurred creation of the nation’s first conservation-based ocean policy.

6 trust Fall 2013 A Sea Change

Photograph by Mauricio Handler/National Geographic/Getty Images

trust Fall 2013 7 ists. They conducted hearings across the country, solicited expert advice, and in the end reached a strong consensus. “The oceans are in crisis and reforms are es- sential,” the commission declared. “Our sense that no one owns this vast realm ohn McMurray is a strapping fellow with a gray-salted has allowed us to tolerate no one caring beard who grins widely when plucking huge fish for it. … We are squandering this bounty.” The Pew Oceans Commission found from the sea. He has been fishing for big ones since that wetlands were retreating and that he was 10. Now 42, he runs a fishing charter boat. In coastal waters were choked with oil, toxic chemicals, and farmland runoff. New resi- JJuly, however, he left the 33-foot One More Cast docked for the dential and industrial developments were day in the Atlantic off Oceanside, NY, and went to Washington sending pollution into the seas. Nutrients had spawned dead zones in the water. to show a Senate subcommittee a picture of his son. Coral was dying. Invasive species and Oliver, 4, had gone with his dad for focus public opinion on the plight of escapees from fish farms were pushing the first time to fish for summer floun- the seas and what’s in them. Now the wild stocks aside. Thirty percent of the der, also known as fluke. On his first United States has one of the best fish regulated fish species were overfished. drift, with his line on the bottom, he management systems in the world. Cod and sardine populations had col- hooked a 28-inch flounder, and hauled it The Pew Oceans Commission rec- lapsed; haddock, yellowtail flounder, hali- aboard with his dad’s help. “Now, that,” ommendations in 2003, followed by a but, swordfish, Pacific red snapper—all McMurray recalls telling the senators, similar report the next year by the U.S. were in danger. And fish and birds were holding up a photo of a fish almost as Commission on Ocean Policy, sounded fleeing from fouled waters. long as his son, “is what a rebuilt fish alarms for the well-being of a resource The report offered a list of recom- stock looks like.” that had been taken for granted. The mendations that addressed nearly every McMurray for years had rarely found environmental movement, ignited by facet of mankind’s interaction with the summer flounder worth chasing. They Rachel Carson in the 1960s and in full oceans. It said that the nation needed were so overfished that the only ones he bloom by the 1970s with the first Earth a sustainable oceans policy and that caught “were so small if you held them Day and idealistic new laws, had focused Congress should create an independent up to the light, you could see through attention on pollution, air quality, and oceans agency. Coastlines should be them.” But after tough regulations cut inland waters. The seas were considered protected and coastal waters cleaned. fishing for flounder in 2000, they have almost too big to fail. It called for a series of marine sanc- grown large and abundant and now “Nobody really paid attention to what tuaries. Fishing limits should be set make up a good chunk of McMurray’s was happening to that great resource through scientific evidence to sustain charter boat hauls. “If you give the fish and the damage that was occurring,” fish. Wetlands should be restored, rivers a chance, it’ll come back,” he says. says Leon Panetta, the former California cleaned, and pollution controlled. Urban c iation sso The flounder is just one example congressman and White House chief of and residential development near the of how U.S. fishery managers are giv- staff who chaired the Pew commission coast should be curbed, and the Army ing fish a chance by imposing stronger before returning to Washington to head Corps of Engineers should be ordered

restrictions based on science. That ap- the CIA and the Department of Defense. to protect, not rework, the environment. c ial R eef A c h A rtifi

proach was one of the key recommen- “I think we changed the conversation, The recommendations were far- o B ea dations made a decade ago when the because I think people throughout this reaching and ambitious, and they Pew Oceans Commission delivered a country now recognize that our oceans threatened the status quo. They soon 144-page indictment of our treatment were in trouble.” became mired in competing interests. of the oceans—a report that helped The 18 commissioners assembled by From seaside developers to commercial Doug Struck is a former Washington Post foreign Pew were a diverse group that included fishermen to sportsmen to sunbath- correspondent who writes about science and elected officials from coastal regions, ers, all had their own views of how the the environment and teaches journalism at

Emerson College in Boston. scientists, fishermen, and conservation- oceans should be used. Mexi c Carol Cox/ by photograph

8 trust Fall 2013 The results 10 years later: arching national policy on the oceans to Red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico try to bring sense to an area governed have rebounded in the past five years because of measures that helped to The Oceans by 140 laws and a multitude of agencies. end overfishing. he results, a decade later, are It was a “hodgepodge” in “disarray,” decidedly mixed. The com- the commission said, and a policy was Tmission recommended, for needed so that oceans would be used But “as a result of the commission, example, funding for basic ocean re- in a way that would sustain them for we now have a national oceans policy search be doubled. Progress toward future generations. But years of effort that lays out those principles” of sus- that goal has lagged; money to study to get Congress to pass such a national tainability, she says. The president’s the effects of ocean acidification on the oceans policy failed. Finally, President executive order “has its focus squarely $2 billion shellfish industry dropped to Barack Obama issued an executive order on stewardship. And it creates a National $23 million in 2011 from $29 million in in 2010. Among other steps, it instructs Ocean Council and regional councils c iation sso 2008. Scientists are scrambling to find the federal agencies that make decisions as well as a mechanism for working financing for their research. affecting the seas to work together, to across federal agencies. The importance “Funding is getting more and more employ science to guide deliberations, of that should not be underestimated.” scarce, particularly for environmental and to improve coordination with re- Many of the problems pointed out by c ial R eef A c h A rtifi work,” says Kenly Hiller, a young biolo- gional and state agencies. the commission have worsened in the

o B ea gist who is trying to raise cash through “It has not been smooth sailing.” says past decade. A data-based effort called an online crowd funding site to study Jane Lubchenco, who was a member of the Ocean Health Index calculated in nitrogen runoff at Cape Cod, MA. She the commission and served as head of October that the health of the oceans pleaded for $6,000 on the site microryza. the National Oceanic and Atmospheric rated a score of only 65 out of 100. The com when government spending cuts Administration from 2009 until early index did not exist 10 years ago, but in March delayed her EPA-financed this year. “There is significant backlash Benjamin S. Halpern, a professor of fellowship. by vested interests who feel threatened marine conservation at the University

photograph by Carol Cox/ Mexi c Carol Cox/ by photograph The commission pushed for an over- by an integrated approach.” of California, Santa Barbara, who is one

trust Fall 2013 9 of the authors of the index, says many problems have become more acute, though some have improved. “I would say the two biggest prob- lems are habitat loss with degradation in coastal areas, and overfishing,” he says. Rampant development, wetlands loss, agricultural and urban runoff, and “We’ve got a great treasure resource exploitation all have an impact on the oceans, and growth in popula- in our oceans, and we tion has made many of those problems worse. More than half of all Americans have a responsibility to live in a coastal county, a 40 percent increase since 1970. protect that treasure.” The United States this year scored a 67 on the Ocean Health Index, plac- fter representing not only our fisheries. We were seeing ing it 75th among countries on a scale coastal California in increasing pollution, dead zones where that is based on a variety of ocean uses Congress and serving there were no fish because of pollution. and trends over the past five years. The as director of the Of- Coastal development was ignoring the score is “not a 20 or a 30, but I don’t fice of Management impact on the oceans as well. I think we think anyone will celebrate that as a andA Budget and as White House chief changed the conversation, because I job done,” Halpern says. of staff,Leon Panetta chaired the think people throughout this country Overlaying all of these problems is Pew Oceans Commission, which issued now recognize that our oceans were in the changing climate. Oceans were once its recommendations a decade ago. trouble. For the first time, we started a seen as an ally, perhaps even a savior, for Since then, he has served as CIA direc- discussion that said, “We can’t take our a warming world: A third of the carbon tor and secretary of defense. He now oceans for granted.” dioxide produced by humans since the leads the Panetta Institute for Public beginning of the industrial revolution Policy at California State University, Pew: What, for you, were the com- has been absorbed by the oceans. But 10 Monterey Bay, where he spoke recently mission’s key recommendations, and years ago, the Pew commission pointed with Christopher Mann, a senior staff how did you reach them? to the emerging science that the oceans member for the commission who today Panetta: We had some very good themselves were changing. is a director of environmental initiatives members representing the environmen- Since the report’s release, scientists for The Pew Charitable Trusts. Excerpts tal community, the fishing community, have found that the seas are heating of their conversation: people who came from public service, up, species that can move are starting a really good cross section. We worked to migrate to cooler waters, and those Pew: What was the state of the na- our way through some of the tough that can’t are suffering. In addition, the tion’s oceans before the Pew Oceans issues, and the most important thing carbon dioxide absorbed by the oceans Commission began its work? that we were able to focus on was the is making the water more acidic, which Panetta: This country largely took state of our fisheries. We also looked at in turn hinders the growth of coral, our oceans for granted. So much of the relationship between the ocean and shellfish, plankton, and algae. Coral our Earth is covered by the oceans, the land. What’s happening on land and beds, habitat for one-quarter of all ma- and everybody assumes they’ll always in our rivers determines a lot of what rine species, are dying. be there. Nobody really paid attention happens in our oceans. In addition to Joshua Reichert, who helped create to what was happening to that great that ecosystem kind of look, we recom- the Pew Oceans Commission, acknowl- resource and the damage that was mended that we expand the marine edges that climate change threatens occurring. Look at the great Midwest— reserves and develop a national system to overshadow many of the problems what was happening in the Mississippi of marine reserves. Lastly, we recom- that were the panel’s focus. “Up until River was having an effect in the Gulf. mended developing a national ocean

recently, the most serious problem af- So it wasn’t just the coastlines. It was policy. We’ve got a great treasure in our Kli m e k Martin by photograph

10 trust Fall 2013 photograph by Martin Klimek let them speak to their concerns and let let and concerns to their speak them let understand what their concerns are, and Understand where they’re coming from, ideas here, but you should listen to them. have that different people are there is, we take?,” fact The to listen. you need mendations, what kind of actions should of recom kind “What to ask, you start as then, And that. on aconsensus get and we’re that confronting problems those you have to identify foremost, and first So there. out issues real some are we there know concerns, common some we have That ateam. as operate people that important itwas felt Commission—I Pew Oceans the includes this had—and Panetta: happen? that did How today. relevant still are that mendations consensus for some powerful recom problems were, and yet you forged a ocean and sometimes even what the of the management future the on agree not did of which many cies, constituen diverse together brought Pew: treasure. that protect to we have and aresponsibility oceans, The Pew Oceans Commission Commission Pew Oceans The Almost in every job I’ve I’ve job every in Almost - - - I asked, ‘What’s happening with your with your happening ‘What’s I asked, issues, defense talking Iwas though Even there. oceans on the effect the see Middle East, and getting a chance to the to Asia, abroad of defense—going secretary as this Isaw currents. of the effect the of water and quality of the terms in and of resources terms in other relate to each oceans all is, fact The ies. boundar international at our stop just don’t oceans our but States, United the on border that oceans the on really was Panetta: future? the Pew: itself. process you into the buys process that in participate to fully able been you’ve that fact the and forward, recommendations, you can move the ball you move as toward into consideration concerns to their take if you try Then their concerns on coastal development. about talked cities ran who people concerns, their about spoke mentalists men spoke about their needs, environ- fisher that fact the was Commission Pew Oceans key of the the to success that believe much Ivery it. hear others What do we need to focus on in in on to focus we do need What The focus of our commission commission of our focus The - - participate in this effort. effort. this in participate much very community international the have well very you could that concern our oceans. And I think there’s enough from get they that food of the quality the to happening what’s fisheries, to their are seeing firsthand what’s happening they because it, for ready may wellbe countries These you tell this: I’ll but work, to some take going It’s future. the for there be they’ll so sustainable them make how we about It’s down. resources those shut to somehow trying about not is this to that recognize countries these on incumbent really It’s of food. sources tant impor of their one livelihoods, important of their one down to is shut commission of that purpose the that suspect very to be going are Countries of issues. kind same into the to run you’re going and ally glob You issues it. these take to sustain have an economic livelihood and be able can people that so aresource restoring is in we’re what that interested clear made Panetta: itface? does challenges What University. at Oxford Commission Ocean Pew: oceans are truly global. international community, our because by the addressed to be needs of that All human behavior, coastal development. toward pollution, attitudes better ing develop developing research, fisheries, sustainable on of rules kind the veloping way we approach our oceans and de the to changing does States United the like ize have they that aresponsibility real others that so community national inter the in to bring we need is, done be to needs what behavior. Ithink human of impact the of pollution, impact the area, after You area in see, could oceans. to their with regard had they concern the resources, diminishing talked about fisheries?’ And almost every country P S with interview extended the Watch anetta at pewtrusts.org/oceans-panetta at anetta

Pew is now supporting the Global Global the now supporting Pew is The Pew Oceans Commission Commission Pew Oceans The

n trust

ecretary ecretary Fall 2013 . - -

- - - - 11 fecting ocean health has been the stag- allowed to regrow, with strict curbs When the scientists get back to their gering amount of fish and other marine on overfishing. labs, they pore over the data, dissect the life being taken out of the world’s oceans Heidi Marotta is at the heart of that fish parts, look at surveys from other each year,” says Reichert, who over- process. She works with the Northeast places and other years, and look at other sees Pew’s environment work. “But that Fisheries Science Center, part of the Na- fish—prey and predators—to come up problem is soon to be eclipsed by rising tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- with an estimate of the size, maturity, temperatures and increasing acidity tration, to help sample fish off the Atlantic and trajectory of the stock. levels, which will have a devastating coast. Aboard the NOAA research vessel Elsewhere, government-funded ob- impact on ocean life.” Climate change, Gloria Michelle, based in Woods Hole, servers are riding fishing boats to count he says, presents “a dreadful scenario.” MA, she lays out some specimens of her what’s caught. Dock recorders are weigh- work on a wooden sorting table: spotted ing and registering the catch brought back flounders, a slithery squid, a butterfish, by commercial boats. And the fishermen The results 10 years later: and a long, snakelike cutlassfish. themselves are reporting their hauls. The Fish With a deft paring knife and elec- All of that information feeds into a he shorter-term threat in the seas tronic marker, Marotta demonstrates calculation that seeks to model what is is to fish, which help feed 7 bil- how she can rapidly enter the species, happening to the fish under the surface, Tlion people and which are the weight, length, and sex of her sampling and how many can be taken from a par- focus of both commercial and recreational prey into an onboard computer and ticular population without depleting it. industries in this country. For decades, quickly slice some crucial parts—an The recommended quota that emerges the United States made feeble attempts eardrum, tail, or spine— that will go to from this calculation then goes to state to control overfishing, even as it watched a lab to determine the specimen’s age. or regional fish management bodies, cod and flounder disappear from New The 72-foot Gloria Michelle is a which include sport and commercial England, red snapper from the Gulf of former Gulf Coast shrimper that was fishermen. They set the fishing rules Mexico, and rockfish from the Pacific. seized by federal authorities with its based on that limit and adopt plans to Congress called for regulating fish- hold full of 16 tons of marijuana instead rebuild overfished stocks. ing in 1976 in the Magnuson-Stevens of shrimp. Lt. Anna-Liza Villard-Howe The law passed by Congress in 1996 Fishery Conservation and Management is now captain of the boat, part of the and strengthened in 2006—after the Act, led by Senators Warren Magnuson NOAA fleet of research vessels that blue-ribbon reports by the Pew Oceans (D-WA) and Ted Stevens (R-AK). When includes 17 large ocean-going ships Commission and the U.S. Commission that did not work, lawmakers tough- and about 400 smaller vessels. On fish on Ocean Policy and after lawsuits by ened the rules—but not the enforce- surveys, Villard-Howe drops a net with conservationists to enforce it—requires ment—in 1996 with the Sustainable a mouth 90 feet wide and 6 feet tall, that the catch quotas for any stock found Fisheries Act. The Pew Oceans Com- weighted to drift 150 fathoms—900 overfished be stringent enough to try mission looked at the pattern of setting feet—to the bottom. After pulling to rebuild the stock within 10 years if quotas and limits and found that they the net for 20 minutes, scooping the it is biologically possible. “We’ve made were sometimes arbitrarily fixed, often groundfish that hover there, she hoists a lot of progress,” says Lee Crockett, not enforced, and frequently altered the dripping haul to the deck. Marotta director of Pew’s U.S. oceans program. under pressure from fishermen and and a team of scientists swarm over “Since 2000, there are 33 fish stocks the fishing industry. the writhing catch to measure and that have been rebuilt.” Fishing quotas should be set to sus- process the specimens. According to NOAA’s 2012 report to tain fish for future generations, the Commercial fishermen are often wary Congress, 70 other stocks are listed as commission concluded, not to pro- of the NOAA work, Villard-Howe says, either undergoing overfishing— with tect economic or political interests. and they complain that scientists are set- the fish being caught more quickly than The estimates of fish stocks should ting limits too low for their livelihoods. they can reproduce—or already over- be based on good science, not fish- “Fishermen tell me we are doing it all fished, meaning they have been depleted ermen’s hunches. In 2006, Congress wrong, we are in the wrong place, using to unhealthy levels. But by June 2012, responded: It said the fish estimates the wrong gear,” she says. “But the ones NOAA said science-based catch limits had to be determined by science, and who take the time to learn what we are had been set for all 500-plus species that

stocks that were battered had to be doing and why are generally on our side.” it manages. Although these limits apply N i ck H all by photograph

12 trust Fall 2013 A fishing boat on Bristol Bay in Alaska. 10 fish stocks it examined were either were plenty of boats and plenty of fish. After being in crisis, the United States “fully exploited” or “overexploited.” Now I’m the last of the clan,” he says. now has one of the best fish management systems in the world. Pew supported this year’s creation of the “There are a few of us who still live Global Ocean Commission at Oxford off of fishing. We invested a whole lot University to assess threats to the world’s of money to stay,” he says. “But there’s only in federal waters, many states have seas, just as the Pew Oceans Commis- not enough fish. That’s the bottom line. adopted similar science-based methods. sion did domestically a decade ago. There’s not enough fish. We have to Outside the 200-mile U.S. exclusive “If you look at the fisheries, they are have management, and we completely economic zone, it’s a different story. not as healthy as they were,” Reichert understand that. Sometimes we have There are few rules on the high seas, says. “The numbers of vessels out there, to make some really tough choices.” and industrial trawlers from many coun- the number of hooks in the water every McMurray, the charter boat captain, tries—including the United States— day, and the absence of government agrees there is pain. “It’s a tough busi- feast on the big species that range far regimes have aggravated the problems ness. Every regulation they put into across the oceans: bluefin and yellowfin that have been steadily building since the effect, you think it’s going to destroy tuna, swordfish, large sharks, and mar- latter part of the 19th century. But I think your business,” he says. But he adds lins. High-tech electronic sensors find there is now much greater awareness of that without fish, there’s no business. the fish, and lethal hydraulic machinery the problems we face. The management Because of the limits on summer harvests them with an efficiency that regimes are getting better. These things flounder fishing, he told the senators in gives the fish stocks little chance. don’t turn around overnight.” July, “I see more flounder than I have ever In 1950, fishermen pulled 17 million The process is slowly gaining con- seen in my 13 years as a captain, or my tons of fish from the sea; in 2010, the 3 verts, some reluctant. Terry Alexander, 25 years as a saltwater angler. This is one million fishing boats worldwide caught 52, a fourth-generation commercial fish- fishery,” McMurray said, “where I don’t 77 million tons, according to the United erman in Cundy’s Harbor, ME, longs have to stress about abundance levels.” n Nations Food and Agriculture Organiza- for the old days. “I had 40 to 50 cousins For more information, go to pewenvironment photograph by N i ck H all by photograph tion. The agency found that nearly 9 in and uncles who used to go out. There .org/Americas-oceans.

trust Fall 2013 13 14 trust Summer 2013 Pew first helped shed light on the billions of dollars in unfunded pension benefits promised to the nation’s state and local public employees. Now, it’s helping states do something about it. Illustration By Brian Stauffer Promises the report pointed out, those national numbers showed great variation state to state. Twenty states had put aside less than 80 percent and at least five had experienced “troubling drops in their funding ratios.” And, as the report warned, the seem- toBy Robert TPayeitelman ingly good economic times of the previous decade had led states to boost benefits and reduce contributions. Pensions, with their arcane accounting and financial complexities, do not often stir interest from the public and politicians, which explains some of the inaction. But it was a sign of profoundly uneasy times that “Promises with a Price,” with its state-by-state numbers and explanations of the range of factors that affect the health of pensions and other retirement benefits, received widespread media atten- tion and put the retirement crisis on the already crowded agenda of deteriorating fiscal problems as 2008 dawned. t the end of 2007, “Promises with a Price,” the first of a succession of Pew ominous economic clouds were gathering. Earlier in the year, reports on retirement benefits in the states, highlighted a the meltdown of subprime real estate signaled an end to a problem that had been building, as silently as a financial historic housing boom. Stock markets slid and in December, bubble, for years. It was one that was about to get far worse. the National Bureau of Economic Research declared that The implosion of the markets hammered pension invest- the economy had slipped into what would become known ments, driving down returns. State governments mired in as the Great Recession. recession-related fiscal woes cut contributions. Health care During this time, The Pew Charitable Trusts was examin- costs continued rising, and every month more baby boom- ing the pension and retiree health care promises states had ers retired and began to collect their long-awaited benefits. been making to their retirees, and whether enough money By February 2010, that difference between what the states was being set aside to meet those promises. On Dec. 17 came had put away and what they would eventually have to pay the 73-page Pew report, “Promises with a Price: Public Sector out elicited another report, the eye-opening “The Trillion Retirement Benefits,” that warned of growing dangers in public- Dollar Gap: Underfunded State Retirement Systems and the sector retirement benefits. The conservative estimate of state Roads to Reform,” which garnered even greater attention. retirement liabilities starting in fiscal 2006 and stretching over Those early reports on retirement benefits have led Pew the next three decades—for pensions, health care, and other to a much deeper and more policy-oriented involvement with retirement benefits—amounted to $2.73 trillion. Although the problem, providing technical support in states where poli- the states had put away 85 percent of the bill—that was the cymakers are struggling to cope with ballooning liabilities. good news—they still owed $731 billion. More importantly, In at least one state, Kentucky, Pew has been able to use its

trust Fall 2013 15 expertise to help forge a bipartisan agreement on what needs was something we could do to help lawmakers.” Lori Grange, to be done. Efforts in other states and cities continue. now a senior director of emerging issues for Pew who was “Offering a strong retirement system is essential for help- overseeing the work at the time, recalls how “The Trillion ing states and cities recruit and retain a talented workforce,” Dollar Gap” led to more active conversations between Pew and says David Draine, a senior Pew researcher on pension issues. state officials, organizations such as the National Conference “Pew has always wanted to help governments be more effective of State Legislators, and the media. More reports followed. and efficient, and attracting top workers is central to that.” States slowly began to address the challenge. “After 2008 Tackling retirement benefits involves several challenges: or so, there were a series of reforms in some states,” says the complexity of the problem and the difficulty of getting Gregory Mennis, who now directs Pew’s pension work. In a firm grasp—particularly in terms of data—on its sheer fact, some 43 states between 2009 and 2011 made changes, scope and variety. With the exception of the occasional mostly benefit cuts or increased employee contributions. short recession, market performance during the 1980s and “But they were very incremental,” he says. “Policymakers the run-up in dot-com stocks in 2000, was spectacular, and needed to think about this in a more comprehensive way.” fund coffers, fueled by beneficial demographics, swelled. Thus began the migration of Pew’s retirement project from Most state retirement funds invested heavily in the stock a set of reports to a more ambitious education and policy market. As “Promises with a Price” noted, “Because equity initiative. The early benefit reports are crammed with sug- investment was a relatively new phenomenon in the 1990s gestions, some very detailed; and later reports simplified the [for pension funds], decision-makers may have ignored the presentation with a letter grade format. For instance, hybrid idea that what goes up also comes down.” and cash balance plans—which try to combine the strengths The technology bust in 2001 was a warning about the of defined benefit and defined contribution plans—made their fragility of the system, but it was one few heard. It wasn’t just appearance in “Promises with a Price.” Such plans—which the sharp market downturn and recession that followed. That offer workers the safety of a defined benefit plan with lower had occurred before with markets swinging briskly back risk while providing the state the greater cost certainty of into recovery. This time the recovery did come, but the rapid a defined contribution plan—would later fuel bipartisan growth that had marked the ’80s and ’90s was running out compromise in Kentucky. “The Trillion Dollar Gap” included of gas. And, as “Promises with a Price” pointed out, states a section that looked at what it called “the groundswell for had spent the surplus of the ’90s on benefit increases, leaving reform” driven by budget problems and a growing awareness no cushion against an economic downturn. “In some states, of a gap between public defined benefit and private defined retiree benefits have been vulnerable to a buy-now, pay-later contribution plans. The report examined the difficult politics mentality,” the report said. “In bad budget times, retirement of addressing retirement costs, offered a menu of reforms, and benefits become easy substitutes for salary increases because analyzed states that had performed well. states can put off the bills. In good times, feelings of legisla- In 2011, Pew and the Laura and John Arnold Foundation tive largesse can create new retirement benefit policies that began to talk about areas of mutual interest. The foundation, have costly long-term price tags.” launched in 2008, targets projects that promise to create States hobbled by mounting budget woes, particularly as “transformational change.” By the beginning of 2012, Arnold taxes were cut, also found it easy to cut the outlays their own and Pew began to partner on retirement benefits and policy actuaries told them they needed to contribute annually to keep assistance to the states. their funds healthy. A less-than-robust recovery put even greater “We recognize that each state has unique policy prefer- pressure on states. The funding hole, year by year, deepened. ences and budget challenges,” says Mennis. “There is no The public attention stirred by Pew’s first reports, and the one-size-fits-all solution.” deteriorating pension situation, convinced the institution’s Kentucky had pushed through some reforms in 2008. leadership that more could be done than just research, report- Like many states, Kentucky had a surplus as late as 2002. ing, and compilation of data. “We saw a steady softening of But by 2010, Pew rated Kentucky as one of the worst-off of conditions in 2008,” says Kil Huh, an early member of Pew’s the states (joined by Connecticut, Illinois, and Rhode Island, pension group who is now director of state and local fiscal which was already tackling its own wide-ranging reforms), health research. “At some point we began to think that there with less than 55 percent of its liabilities funded, a result of years of partial funding and falling returns. The 2008 reform, Robert Teitelman is a veteran financial journalist who was the founding editor-in-chief of The Deal and previously was editor of Institutional which focused on cutting benefits for new workers, did not Investor magazine. solve the problem; in 2012, the shortfall amounted to $23.6

16 trust Fall 2013 billion, more than twice Kentucky’s annual tax revenue. The task force developed a set of recommendations, vot- Kentucky, like many states, suffered from political grid- ing 11-1 for a proposal that included renewed full pension lock. David Adkisson, CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of payments in the next budget; a requirement to pay for any Commerce who had begun warning of pension problems in future cost-of-living adjustments when they are offered; and 2006, notes that Kentucky was one of only three states with a hybrid cash-balance plan, in which new workers would get divided two-house legislatures: Democrats controlled the an individual retirement account with a 4 percent guaranteed House of Representatives, Republicans the Senate. Democrats return and a share of any investment returns above that. stressed protecting older workers, a concern that focused on The plan went to the General Assembly and debate began the continuation of the defined benefit plan. Republicans after New Year’s. The biggest challenge was how to pay for it. That was addressed when legislators agreed on $100 million in new annual revenue—an increase in various taxes “We recognize that each state and fees and a reduction in spending has unique policy preferences and on roads—and the legislation passed the House and Senate resoundingly on budget challenges. There is no March 26, 2013. one-size-fits-all solution.” Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, a Democrat, signed it into law on April 4. For Kentuckians, the reforms are a start, but it will take many years to sought predictability and lower costs through a 401(k) ap- return the system to full health, and the cost will be steep; proach. The two sides were at an impasse. the state is still short some $34 billion. For Pew, the effort Finally, in 2012, driven by a strong desire to reach a meant a long and active engagement with the state’s prob- long-term solution that both sides could agree on, a senior lems and politics, much of it on the ground. But the end of Democrat in the General Assembly introduced legislation the Kentucky effort is just the start elsewhere. Many other to create a bipartisan task force that would investigate the states, and increasingly cities—Pew’s research includes an problem and make recommendations for reform. in-depth look at the retirement challenges facing 61 major “Around then we introduced ourselves to them,” says American cities—continue to struggle, resulting in cost in- Draine. The first meeting of the task force took place in July creases that can crowd out needed public investments and in Frankfort, Kentucky’s small-town capital in the heart of government services and push salary freezes and layoffs of bluegrass country. Draine and the team made presentations public-sector workers. Among the hardest hit: Illinois, with on Pew’s research on the states. “We were optimistic at the a shortfall of $100 billion; Pennsylvania and Connecticut; as start,” he says. “There was the usual blame and relitigating well as a number of major cities, including Charleston, WV, of the past. But there was an interest in discussing policy. with only 24 percent of its costs funded; and Chicago, New We tried to help them through that. We wanted to make Orleans, and Philadelphia (cities are particularly far behind the process open and transparent.” on funding health care liabilities, meeting only 6 percent of In August, the task force assembled all the interested their obligation). And, of course, there is bankrupt Detroit. groups—unions, business, taxpayers—to offer suggestions, In many states and cities, the complexity and scale of the with recommendations due by year’s end. reform task seem daunting. Not surprisingly, some stakehold- “Pew brought the stakeholders to the table,” says Adkis- ers want to solve the pension crisis with only tax increases, son. “Pew attracted them because of its expertise and prestige and others want to use only benefit reductions. A long-term and because of the nonpartisan way it operated. The plan answer demands democratic consensus and compromise. that emerged was not what we were advocating. But we be- Pew has found that deals made behind closed doors—a came convinced that it would address the problem.” Damon common approach—are often counterproductive, because Thayer, the Senate majority leader and co-chair of the task they fail to get public buy-in. “Pew’s style is independent and force, describes Pew’s contribution as indispensable. “Pew nonpartisan and committed to transparency,” Draine says. brought a level of credibility that allowed us to get the bill “Our job is to ask the right questions and present options.” through a divided General Assembly,” he says. “I Given the size of the benefit hole, that should For more information, go to don’t think it would have happened otherwise.” pewstates.org/pensions. be a role with a very long run. n

trust Fall 2013 17 The Pew Research Center interviewed more than 38,000 Muslims around the globe to provide a deeper understanding of the beliefs and political views of members of the world’s second-largest religion. To Be Muslim

By Deborah Horan

n Iraq, millions of Shia pilgrims trek to the shrine of Hussein, the slain grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. In Turkey, Sufis spin in trancelike meditation as they pray to God in unison. In West Africa, men chant, “There is no God but God,” sometimes for hours, to commune with the Divine. And in Nigeria,I Sunnis celebrate a major religious holiday with a parade of the Emir on horseback. What unites these groups and Muslims around the globe g es is their belief in God and the Prophet Muhammad, as well as fasting and almsgiving. But the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims are

not monolithic in their commitment to their faith; their views UIG v i a Getty Ima

18 trust Fall 2013 The Sufi tradition of Islam The Pew Research Center interviewed more than 38,000 Muslims around the globe to provide a deeper includes whirling dervish dances such as these performed understanding of the beliefs and political views of members of the world’s second-largest religion. in Istanbul.

trust Fall 2013 19 on politics and democracy, women’s rights, and what practices are acceptable in Islam; or even who counts as a Muslim. The Pew Research Center captures this diversity in a groundbreaking survey. It is notable for its sheer size and the wealth of comparative data it provides on what it means to be a Muslim at a time when the importance of Islam is on the rise in world affairs. The center quantifies—often for the first time—the opinions of Muslims about Islam from Senegal to Indonesia and most countries in between where Muslims make up a majority or significant minority. The survey illuminates attitudes that help to explain the underly- ing drivers of cohesion and conflict. And it paints a picture of a religion that varies greatly in its lived experience from country to country. The work of the center creates a rich repository of Muslim attitudes toward their own religion, giving voice to millions of people who adhere to a faith that is often misunderstood, particularly in the West. Researchers from the center’s project on religion and public life analyzed data collected through face-to-face in- terviews with more than 38,000 Muslims in 39 countries and territories in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. The survey asked about Islamic law, called Sharia, marriage and divorce, religious extremism, the Sunni-Shia divide, belief in the imminent return of Jesus, and much more. The resulting wealth of opinion underscores both the unity and the diversity of the world’s second-largest religion, which is growing in the United States. The survey finds that Muslims’ commitment to their faith also varies greatly by region: Religion matters most in the lives of Muslims in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, where more than 9 out of 10 Muslims in most countries sur- veyed rank highly the importance of faith in their lives. This percentage drops significantly in Central Asia and Europe, perhaps suggesting a lasting imprint from communism in former Soviet and Eastern Bloc countries. In Albania, for instance, just 15 percent of Muslims say religion is “very Significant Regional Variations important” in their lives. he findings are described in two seminal reports The survey finds that majorities support enshrining published in August 2012 and April 2013. A third Sharia in all regions except Europe and Central Asia. Sharia report based on the survey and focusing on the refers not only to divine law, but also to Islamic jurispru- beliefs and practices of Shia Muslims is to be dence, and offers moral guidance for nearly all aspects of life. releasedT this year. The first report, “World Muslims: Unity g es Experts say many survey respondents likely equate Sharia, and Diversity,” garnered attention worldwide for revealing derived from the Arabic word for “path,” with justice and the vast regional variation in Muslims’ commitment to their righteousness, especially in their personal and family life. faith and their views on who counts as a member of the At the same time, majorities of Muslims in most countries Islamic faith, among other findings. The second, “World consistently say democracy, rather than a strong leader, is Muslims: Religion, Politics and Society,” uncovers informa- best suited to solve their country’s problems. tive answers to questions about Sharia, democracy, politics,

Deborah Horan is a Washington writer who covered the Middle East and and the role of women in family and public life.

has written about Muslim Americans for the Chicago Tribune. Many of the findings are roughly consonant with what Ima i /Getty Ulet Ifansast g raph by photo

20 trust Fall 2013 scholars of Islamic tradition say they expected but had never Muslims in Indonesia pray been able to quantify on such a large scale because of a lack to mark the end of Ramadan, the month long fast that is of empirical data. “These polls are useful for both their central to Islam. global demographic breadth and their comprehensiveness in terms of the topics and themes,” says Peter Mandaville, g es a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and director of Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, which were ex- the Ali Vural Ak Center for Global Islamic Studies at George cluded because of security considerations or concerns about Mason University. “You hear constantly that the Muslim interviewing women and men at home about potentially world is very diverse. What came through is that there are sensitive topics. For the same reasons, opinions in several quite intense regional variations.” smaller Muslim-majority countries also were not captured, The survey, translated into more than 80 languages and including those in Libya, Turkmenistan, and countries on dialects and representing about two-thirds of the world’s the Arabian Gulf. A separate survey was conducted later Muslims, was conducted in every nation with a Muslim in Iran, bringing the number of countries polled to 40. Al-

/Getty Ima i /Getty Ulet Ifansast g raph by photo population of more than 10 million except China, India, though some countries were excluded from the study, the

trust Fall 2013 21 Amaney Jamal, a professor of politics at Princeton Univer- sity who advised the project. “We wanted to deconstruct this concept of Islam,” Jamal says. “It’s such a vast con- cept. We thought, ‘What does the world want to learn about Islam and what can we say that people in the Muslim world would be in- terested in reading?’ ” Some of the findings seemingly reflect the cries for political change that spread across the Middle East in 2011, just as the survey was get- ting underway. Surveys col- lected in Egypt, for instance, found 55 percent thought Islamist parties were better than other political parties. Five times each day, millions The Pew Research Center’s project on religion and public of Muslims, like these young life undertook such an ambitious poll as part of its global Iraqi boys near Baghdad, face Mecca to pray. religious futures project, which is funded by The Pew Chari- table Trusts and the John Templeton Foundation. The goal of the futures project is to study religion around the globe results—from divergent views about Sharia to differences through surveys, demographic analysis, and other empirical over women’s rights to varying attitudes toward violence research. “When you think about the politics of identity, it in the name of Islam—provide empirical evidence that the is very closely related to religion in many countries, to how survey represents a broad and deep picture of how Muslims people try to position themselves in the world,” says James see themselves and their societies in the modern world. Bell, who directs international survey research at the Pew The work is notable not only for its global reach, but also Research Center. “Other international surveys have questioned for the depth of questions it asked about a range of topics, Muslims about their faith, but none, I think, has delved as says Shibley Telhami, a senior fellow at the Saban Center deeply into what it means to be a Muslim in today’s world.” at the Brookings Institution and a well-known pollster of What it means to be a Muslim, it turns out, varies greatly Arab attitudes toward politics and media in the Middle depending on the norms of the country. The survey found East. “It is very extensive,” Telhami says. “The Pew work that many opinions reflected prevailing cultural, legal, and provides a comparative perspective that is very hard to find political attitudes. In most countries where Islam is the of- somewhere else.” ficially favored religion, for instance, at least 7 in 10 Muslims Such broad analysis is useful for those seeking to under- support enshrining Sharia; the percentage drops to less than 3 g es stand support for democracy in the world, says Bret Nelson, a in 10 in most countries where Islam is not the official religion. research analyst at Freedom House, a watchdog organization “That’s one indication that context matters,” says Bell. “It’s an g etty i ma that monitors levels of freedom around the globe. “Some of interesting association. Whether it’s government responding the brainier details are really fascinating,” he says. “They or whether it’s culture shaping … it’s not clear to us. All we raise more questions, and give us more things to consider.” can say is that there is a correlation.” Context also matters in The survey sought to penetrate attitudes toward Islam in how Muslims define the boundaries of their own faith. The terms of theology, ideology, belief, observance, politics, and survey finds that more Sunnis in countries with significant

personal status—and not just for a Western audience, says Shia populations consider Shia to be Muslim. S pencer P latt/ g raph by photo

22 trust Fall 2013 Careful Data Collection firms to review questions for clarity and cultural sensitivi- he “World Muslims” survey expands upon an ties, and to supply trained interviewers. To ensure that the earlier poll that examined religion in 15 sub- surveys were statistically random, the local firms divided Saharan African nations with significant Muslim the country into regions, and then divided the regions again populations and is described in the 2010 report into administrative units. Neighborhoods within those “ToleranceT and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub- units were chosen randomly, and houses on each street Saharan Africa.” Using that study as a base, the research were also selected at random. In some countries, such as team crafted additional questions, and asked them in late Afghanistan, village elders were given advance notice to 2011 and early 2012 in 24 more countries and territories, ensure that pollsters were not met with suspicion. “You including 21 in which Muslims constitute a majority. have to give a lot of thought to how data is collected,” Bell Project organizers relied on 10 experts in Islamic tradi- says. “Quality control is very important.” tion whose areas of knowledge spanned regions and sects, The poll in Iran was conducted in early 2012, a few months plus more than 20 specialists who contributed occasion- after polling elsewhere concluded. The delay occurred be- ally. With the advisers, Pew researchers spent a year and a cause U.S. sanctions on Iran required the project to get half devising questions, which were then pretested in each special permission from the U.S. government to conduct country. A key challenge was to ask about delicate issues work there. The most surprising finding: Only 40 percent while taking into consideration nuances in language and of Iranian Muslims say religious figures should have a large culture, as well as political or religious sensitivities. influence on political matters. Questions were modified or dropped if they were deemed Response to the survey was loudest in Indonesia, where too delicate to broach. Asking about democracy was consid- the Jakarta Post ran an opinion piece questioning the finding ered too risky in Morocco and Uzbekistan, while questions that 72 percent of Indonesian Muslims favor adopting Sharia referencing Christianity—even those asking about the Muslim law. Pew Research followed up with a response that also ran belief in the imminent return of Jesus, which is a central in the Post. “We explained the scientific basis for our poll and tenet in Islam—were omitted in Afghanistan out of fear that why the findings were representative of Indonesian Muslims,” they could be mistaken for proselytizing, which is illegal. Bell says. “We also pointed out that the survey is unique in its Any modifications to questions were noted in the report. ability to place Indonesian Muslims in a broad, global context.” In each country, the project commissioned local survey Project coordinators say they expect equally interesting findings to be included in the next report, which will concentrate on Shia Muslims. The report will ana- Countries in the Surveys lyze opinions in several countries The Pew surveys included 40 countries representing more with significant Shia populations, than 67 percent of the world’s Muslim population. including Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Afghanistan, and will delve into the differences within the sect as well as relations with Sunnis. And

Russia the Shia focus is just one potential angle. With answers to more than 100 questions collected, the sur- Bosnia- Herzegovina Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Azerbaijan vey provides a baseline that can be g es Kosovo Albania Turkey Kyrgystan used to measure change in attitudes Morocco Lebanon Tajikistan Iraq Iran Palestinian Afghanistan over time, or to research attitudes g etty i ma Tunisia Terr. Egypt Jordan Pakistan Bangladesh toward other aspects of Islam, such Senegal Mali Niger Chad Djbouti as mysticism. “This is such a rich Thailand Nigeria Guinea-Bissau Ethiopia Malaysia data set,” says Princeton’s Jamal. Liberia Ghana DR Kenya “There are lots more things that can Cameroon Congo Uganda Indonesia Tanzania come out of it.” n

Mozambique For more information, go to pewforum.org/

raph by S pencer P latt/ g raph by photo topics/muslims-and-islam.

trust Fall 2013 23 kn News

The updated standards result from the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, Healthier Snacks which directed the Agriculture Depart- ment to develop nutrition standards For School Menus for all foods sold in U.S. schools. The The Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project helps win adoption Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project of new, healthier standards for snacks sold in schools. helped build support for the legislation. The work continues, with the project By Burt Edwards engaging leading educators, nutrition experts, and key private-sector partners When kids in Cincinnati’s public cafeteria meals at breakfast and lunch in the development of the rules that put schools get hungry for a snack these that took effect last fall. Nutritional the law into action. days, they have a lot of healthy choices: meal standards had not been revised Private-sector supporters include Fresh fruit, trail mix, and low-calorie since 1995 and are now in line with the prominent members of the food industry, drinks are all available. School officials government’s Dietary Guidelines for including snack food producers such as say these snacks are being devoured by Americans, which are evidence-based Mars, Inc. “We strongly support a new Cincinnati students, who are already recommendations intended to promote national school nutrition standard that getting the sort of snacks that should be health. (See Trust, Spring 2012.) will ensure children have access to high- available in nearly all schools next year. There is strong public support for quality nutritious snacks at school,” the In late June, the U.S. Department of improving the school snack rule—a company says in a statement. “Stronger Agriculture, which oversees school meal project survey last year found that 80 school nutrition standards are an im- programs, released a new minimum percent of the U.S. public backed the portant element of a broader solution nutritional baseline for snacks and bev- to address the health challenges facing erages sold in a la carte lines, vending “Improved snack food the nation’s youth.” machines, and school stores—standards nutrition standards are an The legislation and resulting rules that encourage greater availability of important step forward in will accelerate a trend among some whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits, veg- improving kids’ health.” school districts that were already trying etables, and lean protein for students. new and creative ways to serve healthier Children consume up to half of their meals and to engage parents and their daily calories in school, with a signifi- idea—but the guidelines had not been cant portion—an average of 112 extra revised since the 1970s. Today, nearly 1 in calories daily—in the form of snacks. 3 adolescents is overweight or obese, and Yet, healthy snack options have been young people are increasingly suffering hard to find in many schools. Accord- from diabetes and high blood pressure. ing to recent research by the Kids’ Safe “A lot has changed since the 1970s,” and Healthful Foods Project, “the vast says Jessica Donze Black, who directs majority of secondary schools in 49 the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods states do not sell fruits and vegetables Project. “Research on what kids need in snack food venues.” to stay healthy has grown by leaps and This collaboration between The Pew bounds, the rate of childhood obesity Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood has tripled, and the environment that Johnson Foundation works to improve students face in schools is dramatically nutrition standards for food available different today. The Agriculture Depart- in America’s schools. The snack rule ment’s improved snack food nutrition follows updated federal standards for standards, though, are an important

Burt Edwards is a senior writer for Trust. step forward in improving kids’ health.” Media) (via Maslow T rusts T he Pew Charitable for T ed D ryden p hs by Photogra

24 trust Fall 2013 Cincinnati’s public schools are among the first in the country to embrace updated federal conversation? How do we choose foods snack food standards and serve fresh fruit, trail mix, and low-calorie drinks. that kids will still eat and enjoy? And ul- timately, how do we market it to parents, kids. One of those is Cincinnati, a na- found that nothing makes a kid or teen- students, and faculty so participation can tional leader in school nutrition efforts ager more defiant than when you say, be maximized? Fortunately, there are and among the first large school districts ‘This is your meal, now eat it,’” Shelly thousands of schools that have already to offer healthier school lunches. says. “If you just change the food in the answered these questions and can lead “We know we have kids going home vending machines and your students the way forward for thousands more.” to empty refrigerators and cabinets,” says go around the corner to buy high-cal- Donze Black stresses the importance Jessica Shelly, the school system’s food orie snacks instead, you haven’t really of school food administrators building services director. “So we take the respon- changed their eating habits, just their partnerships with other community sibility for making sure our students have shopping patterns.” stakeholders as Cincinnati has done access to healthy, tasty, and nutritious Donze Black says that is the chal- so successfully. This cooperation in- food options throughout the school day lenge. “Simply pitting sugary and high-fat cludes actively working with leaders in very seriously. This includes getting our treats against healthy snacks just won’t the public, private, and nonprofit sectors kids to fill up on fresh fruits, vegetables, work,” she says. “Kids like to choose what to tackle the challenge of improving food and lean proteins rather than high sugar to eat, but we need to provide them with options in local schools. and fat foods when it comes to provid- a range of healthy options so that any “I see our efforts in the food services ing both full meal and snack options.” choice they make is a nourishing one.” department as the rock that’s thrown Shelly works with community part- As the rule takes effect, the Kids’ into the pond,” says Shelly. “Changing ners—including Cincinnati Children’s Safe and Healthful Foods Project will snack options makes an impact in my Hospital, the Cincinnati Health Depart- continue its efforts to educate the pub- schools, which ripple out to the homes, ment, and the Greater Cincinnati Nutri- lic on the importance of nutritionally which spread out to the larger community, tion Council—to educate parents and the sound school meals and to help local which then ripple out to the region as larger community about the importance of school district officials think through a whole. I’m hoping our overall school healthy eating habits. Her staff also talks ways to bring healthier snack options to lunch and nutrition improvements ef- with students and parents to determine students. “There’s going to be trial and forts are contagious. It’s about a lifestyle healthy snack options that kids might error in schools for which these nutrition change, teaching our kids healthier eat- want to eat to broaden the appeal of what’s standards are brand new,” Donze Black ing habits that will last a lifetime.” n available and provide more choices. says. “It is important to get it right. How For more information, go to healthyschoolfoods rusts (via Maslow Media) (via Maslow T rusts T he Pew Charitable for T ed D ryden p hs by Photogra “The key is choice and variety. We’ve do we include the right people in the now.org

trust Fall 2013 25 kn On the Record

Staff at The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Pew Research Center frequently contributes op-eds, essays, cars and, most important, the ability and articles to newspapers and other media organizations. This piece appeared in the Wall Street Journal. to focus on something other than basic food and shelter. It is these millions of people whose hopes and frustrations The Global Middle- will shape the future. Expectations among this group are running high. When the Pew Re- Class Surge search Center surveyed nearly 40,000 World-wide prosperity is rising, but Western values people in 39 countries this spring, have gotten a mixed reception. we asked the quintessential ques- By Alan Murray tion of middle-class aspiration: Will children in your country be better off The mass uprisings this summer Both unfolded primarily in the United than their parents? Large majorities in in Egypt, Turkey and Brazil are power- States and Europe. most advanced economies said “no.” ful reminders that the middle classes The third seems likely to be the Only 33 percent of Americans think drive history. What remains unclear, biggest and broadest. It has unfolded children will be better off than their however, is where they are driving it. in China over the past decade but parents. The number was 17 percent The world today is witnessing is rapidly spreading through Asia, in Britain, 15 percent in Japan, and 9 its third great surge of middle-class Latin America, and even Africa. Some percent in France. growth. The first was brought about predict that within two decades, a But in China, 82 percent now ex- in the 19th century by the Industrial majority of the world’s population pect their children to live better, and Revolution; the second surge came will have middle-class means and in Brazil, 79 percent think the same in the years following World War II. desires—for education, cellphones, way. Majorities in Chile, Malaysia,

Globally, the United States remains more popular Will China Become the than China. But people around the world believe that World’s Leading Superpower? the balance of power is shifting.

CANADA Median percent saying China has already or will eventually replace the United States as the world’s leading superpower. 67%

EUROPE 57% UNITED STATES 47% ASIA 45% MIDDLE LATIN EAST AMERICA 50% AFRICA 44% 39% aginechina via A P jian/ Im aginechina Miao p h by Photogra

26 trust Fall 2013 cent for the U.S. Argentines and Venezuelans gave China more positive marks. Those favorability mea- sures, of course, paint with a broad brush. The people in emerging markets spe- cifically give the U.S. high grades—and higher than China’s—for respecting the personal freedoms of its citi- zens. But the gap between perceptions of the U.S. and China on these issues was much smaller in emerging countries than it was in the developed countries. In the emerging countries, a median of 65 percent said the U.S. respected personal freedoms, while 41 percent Home sales were up in Shanghai this fall as the Chinese middle class expands. said the same about China. Venezuela, Indonesia, the Philippines, women’s rights, a civilian-controlled In developed countries, 79 percent Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya believe that military, and the separation of religion said the U.S. respected personal free- the next generation will be better off and government. Throughout the Arab doms, compared with only 14 percent than the current one. world, our research based on available for China. There is little question that this public records shows that the Arab When people in emerging coun- new middle class will change the uprisings have led to more restrictions tries were asked whether it was a good world. Less clear is how they’ll do it. on religion, not fewer. thing that U.S. and Chinese ideas were The all-too-easy assumption in the Another interesting question is spreading throughout their countries, West has been that these new entrants to whom or to what these emerging the gap got even smaller. A median of to the middle-class club will embrace middle-class populations will look for 37 percent in the six countries where the same values their predecessors role models. Again, the evidence is we asked this question—South Africa, did. But evidence on that is mixed. mixed. In the emerging countries we Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Many hoped the “Arab Spring” surveyed, most people believe that the Venezuela—said it was good that U.S. would mean progress toward adopt- United States is still the world’s lead- ideas were spreading, while 32 percent ing Western ideas about democracy ing economic power. But as a group, said the same about Chinese ideas. and human rights. But subsequent they had a somewhat more favorable And in the same countries, a median events in Egypt—with the recent pro- opinion of China than of the U.S. of 51 percent said they liked U.S. ways tests fueled largely by middle-class In Malaysia, for instance, 81 per- of doing business, while 42 percent discontent—revealed how tenuous cent of those surveyed had a favorable said the same about China. such hopes may be. Pew surveys in opinion of China, compared with only What all this means is that the new Egypt show that there is public sup- 55 percent who had a positive view of global middle classes will transform port for democratic rights and institu- the U.S. In Indonesia, 70 percent had a societies, economies, and political tions, but less support for notions like favorable opinion of China, compared institutions in ways hard to predict. with 61 percent for the U.S. Even in Unlike the middle-class surges of the Alan Murray is president of the Pew Research America’s own hemisphere, 65 percent 19th century and the post-World War Center. Reprinted from The Wall Street Journal © 2013 of Brazilians had a favorable opinion II era, this one will not necessarily be aginechina via A P jian/ Im aginechina Miao p h by Photogra Dow Jones & Company. All rights reserved. of China, not far behind the 73 per- rooted in Western values. n

trust Fall 2013 27 kn Pew Partners

landscape. Talking to such a large cross Collaborations section of the electorate will allow analy- sis of subgroups of voters not achievable through the typical national polls that Built on Common are often only 10 to 20 percent of that size, and it should provide new insights Ground into American political opinion. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has worked with “I have a strong bias in favor of work- Pew for a decade to protect the environment and conserve wild ing with others. That’s how you are most lands. The partnership continues with an important addition effective,” Kramer says. “You have to to an ambitious agenda: the future of American democracy. have partners, and Pew is a very strong partner. It’s a high-quality organization.” By Daniel LeDuc Hewlett has worked with Pew for a decade on environmental issues, When Larry Kramer became presi- Hewlett Foundation in 2012. Murray cultural projects, and global survey dent of the William and Flora Hewlett had chronicled the partisan divisions research. Campaigns to preserve the Foundation a year ago he arrived with of the past three decades with growing boreal forest of northern Canada and a question: How had the United States unease while at the Journal. Part of the protect U.S. wilderness and western become so politically polarized? reason he came to the research center lands—longtime goals of the Hewlett Getting an answer to a question that was its reputation for nonpartisan poll- Foundation—have seen enormous big would take a sophisticated approach. ing and analysis that provide reliable success. Canadian officials have pro- He knew the California-based Hewlett and trustworthy information that is tected or pledged to protect 350 million Foundation, which seeks to solve social acres of the boreal, ensuring and environmental problems in the “I have a strong bias in favor of that critical wildlife habitat is United States and abroad, had enjoyed working with others. That’s how preserved and forests essen- a longtime partnership with The Pew you are most effective. You have tial to how the Earth breathes Charitable Trusts and with the Pew to have partners, and Pew is a and cools itself are maintained. Research Center, a Washington-based very strong partner.” Seeing the potential to build “fact tank” that provides information on upon those accomplishments, the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping Hewlett and Pew have recently America and the world. accepted by all sides in the frequently di- agreed to renew their partnership, joined So when Kramer had breakfast this visive world of political debate. Kramer by Ducks Unlimited and the Gordon and year with Alan Murray, who recently left and Murray knew that leveraging their Betty Moore Foundation, with a multi- a top position at the Wall Street Journal to organizations’ interests and resources year shared commitment to continue become president of the research center, could help illuminate answers critically to work together on those conservation it was not surprising that they soon important to American democracy. priorities even as Hewlett branches into were talking about joining resources The outcome of their breakfast meet- new areas such as, in Kramer’s words, and expertise to dig into the question ing was that the Hewlett Foundation, “fixing the democratic process.” of what political polarization means joined by the John D. and Catherine T. “The Hewlett Foundation is an

for the country. MacArthur Foundation, is now sup- inspirational partner, and Larry is a g es Both men are keenly interested in porting a survey of 10,000 voters to gifted and visionary leader,” says Pew the democratic process. Kramer is an be conducted next year by the Pew President Rebecca W. Rimel. “We are acclaimed constitutional scholar and Research Center. The center regularly inspired by what we have already ac- was dean of Stanford University’s law polls voters, but the new survey will be complished together and enthusiastic school before becoming president of the much bigger and will create a broad, about our goals for the future.”

Daniel LeDuc is the editor of Trust. new portrait of the nation’s political All of the work shares a method for b e via Getty I ma Glo Boston

28 trust Fall 2013 already accomplished a great deal, and I’m a big fan,” Kramer says. It has been widely recognized for more than a decade that the U.S. system for administering elections badly needs improvement. Among other problems, voters frequently still face Election Day delays because of a lack of basic infor- mation on the location of polling places, questions about eligibility, and long lines that sometimes leave citizens standing for hours. In past years, Pew has championed federal and state legislation to ensure that military and overseas voters are able to cast timely ballots (see Page 30), and more recently Pew has created initiatives that make voting more accessible by putting information online and improving the accuracy of voter rolls (see Trust, Winter 2013). Some 25 million people looked up information about the 2012 election using the Voting Information Project, a joint ini- tiative of Pew, Google, and other partners, and more than 300,000 people registered to vote as a result of Pew’s partnership with several states to bring registration practices into the 21st century. Like those achievements, virtually all of Pew’s work is based on deep re- search, grounded in facts and driven by a strong, nonpartisan approach. That is another essential facet of Pew’s meth- odology that appeals to Kramer. Waiting to vote last November: Hewlett is considering a collaboration with Pew to help states As he considers the national politi- make voter registration more accurate and improve access to polling information. cal divide, Kramer says, “there’s a huge success that Kramer says illustrates as experience in effective communica- amount that we need to know before the complementary philosophies of tions and capability in advocacy that we can make the system better.” the Hewlett Foundation and Pew: an has a proven record. Next year’s survey from the Pew intense focus on achievable objectives, In addition to Pew’s political sur- Research Center will be a starting point with goals clearly outlined and results vey, Kramer is also exploring oppor- and build upon two decades of analysis measured. He says Pew’s roots as a grant- tunities to collaborate with The Pew by the center. Murray says working with making foundation until becoming a Charitable Trusts’ election initiatives partners often improves how the cen-

g es nonprofit policy organization a decade project that seeks to improve the ad- ter does its work. “Good partners like ago makes it “a partner that understands ministration of U.S. elections. Pew is Hewlett help us sharpen our research both sides of the street—grantmaking working to help states implement ef- agenda,” he says, “and ensure our studies and how to do the work.” ficient, cost-effective, research-based are directly relevant to society’s most Kramer says Pew staff provides ex- solutions that make voter registration pressing concerns.” n pertise in the policy arenas in which the more accurate and improve access to For information about philanthropic partnerships at Pew, please contact Senior Vice President Sally b e via Getty I ma Glo Boston organizations share an interest, as well information. “Pew’s election work has O’Brien at 202-540-6525, [email protected].

trust fall 2013 29 kn Lessons Learned

ation commissioned by Pew’s planning Making Every and evaluation unit, “No Time to Vote” motivated Senator Chuck Schumer to champion the issue of overseas voting. Vote Count Sen. Schumer, a Democrat from New An evaluation of Pew’s campaign to address the York, enlisted Senator Bob Bennett, a problems of military and overseas voters Republican from Utah, and other mem- bers of Congress in an effort that led to By Lester W. Baxter and Glee I. Holton introduction of the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act. The evaluation In 1952, President Harry S. Truman to and from overseas voters. It recom- found a parallel between the recommen- asked Congress to improve the absentee mended a number of solutions, includ- dations in “No Time to Vote” and the act. voting program for Americans serving in ing permitting the electronic transmis- Pew and its partners led the advocacy the military. “When these young people sion of election materials, eliminating effort for the legislation, testifying before are defending our country,” he said then, the requirement that military voters Congress and meeting with lawmakers “the least we at home can do is make sure submit notarized ballots, and allowing and their staffs. In October 2009, Con- they are able to enjoy the rights they are enough time for ballots to travel between gress passed the legislation, and President being asked to fight to preserve.” voters and election offices. Although its Barack Obama signed it into law. Truman made this appeal during an recommendations were not new, the The evaluation concluded that the era of paper ballots that were shuttled by report attracted the attention of state influence of “No Time to Vote” on Sen. a combination of domestic, military, and and federal officials because of its clarity Schumer was decisive in triggering fed- international mail systems. As a result, and because of the credibility of Pew, eral action on the issue and that Pew and some ballots did not arrive in the United an organization with a reputation for its partners played an important role in States in time to be counted. More than high-quality, objective analysis. development and passage of the Military a half-century later, despite advances in According to an independent evalu- and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act. technology, the problem persisted: One in four ballots requested by uniformed and overseas voters was not counted in the 2008 election cycle, primarily because Lessons for the Future the voting laws at the federal level and in The evaluation of Pew’s military and overseas voting project provided several lessons many states did not provide enough time that could guide other projects: for those living or stationed overseas to ■■ A measured start can set the stage for later progress. Pew’s staff made a request and cast their ballots. deliberate decision not to push for quick change. The evaluation noted that the That same year, The Pew Chari- staff’s early field work allowed Pew’s name and staff to become associated with thoughtful election work and perspectives. table Trusts launched the military and overseas voting project, with the goal ■■ Well-prepared campaigns pivot rapidly to new opportunities. When the staff of Senator Charles Schumer contacted Pew’s team, the evaluation showed, the of identifying and addressing the most team immediately understood the significance of having a senator champion pressing problems facing military and the issue. Pew switched from a state focus, as originally planned, to a federal overseas voters in order to expand access effort that quickly rallied support for national legislation with letters, testimony, and improve the accuracy of elections. technical assistance, and media outreach. In January 2009, Pew released a ■■ A clear exit strategy is important. Past experience has shown that exit planning

report, “No Time to Vote,” that docu- should begin well before the anticipated end date, be shared with key partners p EZIU/a AR K RY mented the challenges of moving ballots early on, involve select partners in the process, and be clear about the decision to leave a field, because partners sometimes delay their own plans in the hope Lester W. Baxter is the senior director and Glee that a project will be extended. I. Holton is a director in Pew’s planning and

evaluation department. VIS p h by Photogra

30 trust Fall 2013 U.S. soldiers, serving as peace keepers in Kosovo, on the eve of last November’s election. overseas citizens. Of the six, California and North Carolina had enacted legisla- Even with the passage of federal ensured that provisions for military and tion, Tennessee had introduced it, and legislation, inconsistent state regula- overseas voters in the federal law applied Florida, South Carolina, and Texas had tions remained in place. These rules to state elections. The evaluation found adopted policies that reflected Pew’s continued to pose problems for overseas that Pew’s contributions to development core recommendations. voters, because they govern the elec- of the uniform act were decisive. In summary, the evaluation found tion process for state and local officials. that the voting project conducted an So more than a year before federal of- effective campaign that highlighted the ficials acted, Pew began work with the One in four ballots requested plight of overseas voters; used solid Uniform Law Commission to promote by uniformed and overseas research to identify clear solutions; and voting reforms across the states. The voters was not counted in built a diverse coalition of national or- commission, a nonprofit association that the 2008 election, primar- ganizations and spokespeople to push provides states with nonpartisan model ily because voting laws did for reform. These successes triggered legislation on critical areas of state law, not provide enough time for passage of the federal Military and Over- had never worked on election issues, them to request and cast seas Voter Empowerment Act, which but Pew persuaded it to enter the field. their ballots. reflected the straightforward solutions Developing a uniform act typically emphasized in Pew’s research. With takes nearly three years, but Pew’s fi- guidance and funding from Pew, the nancial and technical support allowed Once the act was drafted, the com- Uniform Law Commission subsequently the commission to approve a uniform mission and Pew worked together to developed the Uniform Military and elections act in less than two years, in decide which states would benefit most Overseas Voters Act, establishing a legal July 2010. Because the federal law was in from adopting the model law. By the framework for the consistent adoption place by then, the commission was able time the evaluation was completed in of voting reforms across states. Taken

p EZIU/a AR K RY to include that law’s core elements in the October 2012, 10 states had passed together, these achievements are some uniform law and extend its application to uniform laws, and four others had in- of the most substantive changes to U.S. the states. The uniform act, for example, troduced legislation. Pew targeted its election laws in the past decade. n

expanded the voters covered to include advocacy efforts on the six states with For more information about Pew’s planning and evaluation unit, go to pewtrusts.org and click on h by VIS p h by Photogra members of the National Guard and the largest population of military and “About Us.”

trust fall 2013 31 The Pew Charitable Trusts’ program investments seek to improve policy, inform the public, and stimulate civic life through operating projects managed by Pew staff, donor partnerships that allow us to work closely with individuals or organizations to achieve shared goals, and targeted grantmaking. Following are highlights of some recent Pew work. To learn more, go to www.pewtrusts.org. Return on Investment

setting their nets around whale sharks likely to recover from disturbances than n The Environment and required tuna fishing vessels to reefs that have been compromised by protect silky sharks by using nonen- an unhealthy predominance of algae. New Caledonia creates tangling devices to attract fish. shark sanctuary New Caledonia established comprehen- n In the States sive and permanent shark protections Australia expands throughout the waters under its juris- Indigenous Protected Areas Three states enact bipartisan diction. The 480,000-square-mile area, Australia created three new Indigenous corrections reform approximately the size of South Africa, Protected Areas in the Northern Kim- With technical assistance from Pew’s sustains a spectacular array of marine berley region. Pew’s Outback program public safety performance project, Kan- life, including 50 species of sharks. The played a significant role in guiding the sas, West Virginia, and Oregon passed move was a result of growing global establishment of the Bardi Jawi, Dambi- bipartisan legislation that reforms sen- momentum for shark conservation cre- mangari, and Balanggarra areas. When tencing and corrections. ated by Pew’s global shark conservation connected with the existing Wilinggin n In Kansas, a new law will focus re- campaign. and Uunguu areas, the parcel will pro- sources on offenders who are most tect more than 17 million acres of the likely to commit new crimes, require Kimberley’s ecologically and culturally supervision after release for a larger New fisheries protections significant lands—a region approxi- percentage of offenders, and provide for the Indian Ocean mately the size of West Virginia. swift and certain sanctions for proba- The Indian Ocean Tuna Commis- tion violations. It will reduce the need sion has banned fishing vessels from for 841 prison beds over the next five retaining, landing, or storing oceanic No-take marine reserves years, saving the state more than $56 whitetip sharks. The decision comple- make coral reefs more million and averting an estimated ments earlier conservation measures for resilient $125 million in prison construction. whitetips enacted by the Convention A study by Pew marine fellow Peter n In West Virginia, a new law strengthens on International Trade in Endangered Mumby found that no-take marine re- supervision, limits how long parole Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which serves may make coral reefs six times and probation violators can spend t ional G eogra p hi c S o ie y/Corbis regulates international trade through more resilient to climate change and re- in prison, and invests in programs a list of protected species. These two lated disturbances, such as coral bleach- proven to reduce substance abuse. actions make the oceanic whitetip the ing. The study focused on areas of reefs It will reduce a projected increase of world’s most protected shark. The steps in Belize where fishing is prohibited. 1,400 inmates, saving $87 million by stemmed from a global campaign by Parrotfish in these reefs eat algae, pre- 2018 and averting an estimated $200 Pew’s shark and international policy venting the organisms from overtaking million in prison construction.

teams. The tuna commission also pro- a reef system. Coral formations with n In Oregon, a new law revises sentenc- N a A . Murawski/ Darlyne ogra p h by t

hibited purse seine fishing vessels from abundant numbers of these fish are more ing policies to focus prison space on Pho

32 trust Fall 2013 Environment directed a total of $28 million to cost- New river herring protections effective programs. The model helps Fishery managers in New England and the mid-Atlantic have capped the policymakers evaluate programs so that amount of river herring and shad that industrial-scale trawlers can catch at effective ones are supported, achieving sea each year. Federal officials declared river herring and shad as “species a better return on tax dollars. Iowa and of concern” because of dramatic population decreases brought by dams on New Mexico expect to achieve returns coastal rivers and overfishing at sea. With the caps in place, there are now of as much as $38 for every $1 allocated limits on the incidental catch of river herring from North Carolina to the to the programs. Nine additional states Canadian border. Pew and its partners in the Herring Alliance provided and California’s Santa Barbara County key technical and policy advice to regional fishery management councils, are now partnering with Results First delivered testimony, and conducted outreach to council members. to analyze their budgets.

serious, violent criminals and boosts ing them apply and build on lessons Three states pass online crime prevention by strengthening the identified in “Evidence Counts,” Pew’s voter registration bills community corrections system and national study of evaluation practices With bipartisan support, Virginia, West investing in victim services and law for tax incentives. Under the law, the Virginia, and Illinois passed legislation enforcement. It will save $326 million governor’s budget proposal must in- creating online voter registration that over the next decade and is projected clude a recommendation to continue, will improve the accuracy and efficiency to avert all anticipated prison growth reform, or end each incentive reviewed, of voter rolls. Pew’s election initiatives in the next five years. encouraging policymakers during bud- team provided expert assistance to poli- get deliberations to consider empirical cymakers in Virginia and West Virginia. t ional G eogra p hi c S o ie y/Corbis evidence based on evaluations. Rhode Island passes tax incentive evaluation law n Health Rhode Island passed a law making the States begin targeting effec- state one of the few to regularly measure tive programs for support Pew biomedical scholars the benefits and costs of tax credits, Using the Pew-MacArthur Results First earn distinctions deductions, and exemptions meant to Initiative cost-benefit analysis model, Pew selects biomedical scholars early in

N a A . Murawski/ Darlyne ogra p h by stimulate job and business growth. Pew lawmakers in Iowa, Massachusetts, their careers who demonstrate prom- t

Pho advised the legislation’s sponsors, help- New Mexico, New York, and Vermont ising work to advance human health.

trust Fall 2013 33 Their contributions to science have say that federal courts fail to provide been consistently recognized as their n The Economy adequate limits on the telephone and careers progress. Richard Scheller, a internet data the government is col- 1985 scholar, won the Albert Lasker Report rates transparency lecting as part of its anti-terrorism ef- Basic Medical Research Award. James of bank checking account forts. An even larger percentage—70 Lupski, a 1990 scholar, has been elected policies percent—believes that the government to the American Academy of Arts and A Pew report, “Checks and Balances: uses this data for purposes other than Sciences. Seven Pew scholars—Peter Measuring Checking Accounts’ Safety investigating terrorism. Nonetheless, Baumann, ’03; Michael Dyer, ’04; Nicole and Transparency,” evaluated the safety the public’s bottom line on government King, ’04; Tirin Moore, ’04; Dyche Mul- and transparency of checking account surveillance is narrowly positive; 50 lins, ’00; Michael Rape, ’07; and Rachel policies at the nation’s largest banks, percent approve of the government’s Wilson, ’05—have been named Howard rating “best” and “good” consumer pro- collection of telephone and internet Hughes Medical Institute investigators. tection practices on disclosure, overdraft data as part of anti-terrorism efforts, Pew’s biomedical scholars also policies, and dispute resolution for each while 44 percent disapprove. publish in top-tier scientific journals. one. The research attracted attention Kevan Shokat, a 1996 scholar, led a study from the Consumer Finance Protection published in the journal Cell on the Bureau—the regulatory agency that Breadwinner moms ability of the chemical kinetin to reverse Pew is encouraging to adopt policies to A Pew Research Center analysis finds cell mutation common to Parkinson’s increase checking account safety and that a record 40 percent of households disease. His laboratory demonstrated transparency—as well as from several with children now include mothers who the effectiveness of the active ingredient financial institutions and the media. are either the sole or primary provider in over-the-counter wrinkle creams to After the report’s release, BB&T, the for the family. The share was just 11 slow or stop the effects of Parkinson’s ninth-largest bank by deposit volume, percent in 1960. These “breadwinner on brain cells. became the 20th institution to adopt moms” are made up of two distinct Pew’s model one-page summary to sim- groups: 5.1 million (37 percent) are plify the disclosure of fees and terms. married mothers with higher incomes Pew convenes experts to than their husbands, and 8.6 million (63 improve medical devices percent) are single mothers. The public Pew brought together more than 20 of New rules for large banks is conflicted about the gains women the nation’s foremost thought leaders Federal banking regulators adopted have made in the workplace, and most from hospitals, health plans, govern- new global capital requirements and Americans—64 percent—say the rising ment, and the medical device industry proposed new rules to strengthen limits number of children born to unmarried to address shortcomings in the detection on leverage for the nation’s largest fi- mothers is a “big problem.” of problems with medical devices such nancial institutions. The Systemic Risk as artificial joints and defibrillators. The Council, formed by Pew and the CFA meetings, conducted in partnership with Institute, was instrumental in pushing Arab Spring adds to global the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Associa- for increased requirements through restrictions on religion tion’s Technology Evaluation Center and public statements and meetings with A new study finds that in the year when the MDEpiNet Science Infrastructure senior regulators. much of the Arab Spring uprisings oc- Center at Weill Cornell Medical Col- curred, the Middle East and North Af- lege, will inform recommendations to rica continued to have the highest levels the U.S. Food and Drug Administration n Pew Research Center of restrictions on religion, with social on improving medical device registries, hostilities involving religion increasing databases of information on patient out- Few see adequate limits on markedly and government restrictions comes associated with specific products. government surveillance remaining high. Globally, the share of The recommendations address how Amid increased scrutiny of the Na- countries with high or very high restric- registries can cost-effectively provide tional Security Agency’s surveillance tions on religion rose from 37 percent accessible, transparent, and high-quality program, a Pew survey found that a in the year ending in mid-2010 to 40

safety data. majority of Americans—56 percent— percent in 2011, a five-year high. MCT via G e tt y Im ages

34 trust Fall 2013 of Philadelphians say the schools are doing a good or excellent job. Seventy- eight percent describe the schools as “only fair” or poor, and 52 percent rate them as poor. As a result of the district’s budget difficulties, 48 percent say they expect families to seek other education options within the city, and 23 percent expect families to start leaving.

Report examines property tax delinquency Based on an analysis of more than 100,000 delinquent properties, the Pew research initiative estimates that Phila- delphia has a realistic chance of col- lecting 30 percent of the $515 million it is owed in back taxes, penalties, and interest—assuming it steps up enforce-

Pew Research Center ment efforts. Among 36 cities studied in the report, “Delinquent Property Rising share of young adults live in their parents’ home Tax in Philadelphia: Stark Challenges A new analysis finds that in 2012, 36 percent of the nation’s young adults and Realistic Goals,” Philadelphia had ages 18 to 31 were living in their parents’ home. This is the highest share the fifth-highest delinquency rate in in at least four decades and represents a slow but steady increase over the 2011. The report finds that cities that 32 percent of people the same age living at home prior to the Great Reces- impose strict timetables for seizing sion in 2007. At the end of the recession in 2009, 34 percent lived in their delinquent properties tend to have low parents’ home. Three years later, a record 21.6 million millennials lived delinquency rates; Philadelphia is not in their parents’ home. Of these, at least a third and perhaps as many as one of these, however. half were college students.

Support for the arts on the business side of the operation n With support from the Pew Center Nonprofit journalism—a as a major challenge. for Arts and Heritage, the Pennsylva- growing but fragile part of nia Ballet presented award-winning the U.S. news media choreographer William Forsythe’s An analysis of 172 active nonprofit digi- n Philadelphia “Artifact Suite” at the Philadelphia tal news outlets launched since 1987 Academy of Music. The San Francisco found that the sector is showing some Poll finds public has low Chronicle praised the work as “a vision signs of economic health, and most lead- opinion of city schools of ballet for the twenty-first century.” ers of those outlets express optimism A Pew Philadelphia research initia- about the future. Many organizations, tive survey found that Philadelphians n Ryan Trecartin, a 2009 Pew fellow in however, also face challenges to their have a very low opinion of their city’s the arts, created a new work composed long-term finances. More than half of financially distressed public schools and of freestanding sculptural theaters those surveyed identified business, that most residents think the problems and extensive video components, to marketing, and fundraising as the area brought on by budget cuts will drive be exhibited at the 55th Venice Bi- of greatest staffing need, and nearly families to seek other educational op- ennale, the world’s most prestigious

ages MCT via G e tt y Im ages two-thirds cited finding time to focus tions or leave the city. Only 18 percent international arts festival. n

trust Fall 2013 35 kn Dispatch St. Lawrence Island, Ak

RUSSIA St. Lawrence Island, Alaska Arctic Sea

ARCTIC Bottleneck in CIRCLE St. Lawrence the Bering Strait Island ALASKA Bering Sea By Henry P. Huntington

The fog is thick. We cannot see island that is ice-bound half the year. For more information, go to pewenvironment.org and search for “Dispatch.” our destination, the Punuk Islands, three The rapid loss of Arctic summer sea rocky lumps a few miles east of St. Law- ice is leading to an increase in north- boats are, reducing the likelihood of rence Island, in the northern Bering ern shipping traffic. The Bering Strait collisions and aiding when rescues Sea. So we resort to age-old methods of is the bottleneck between the Pacific are necessary. On the way back from listening for waves breaking on a shore, and Arctic Oceans, and St. Lawrence the Punuks, we encounter miles-long while watching puffins, cormorants, Island sits just south of the Strait, right rafts of crested and least auklets sit- and murres to see where they are head- in the path of the vessels heading from ting on the sea surface. As our boat ing. The sounds and the birds confirm Europe to East Asia, or from northern approaches, they take to the air, and I that we are on the right track, perhaps Alaska to southern destinations. begin to understand how flocks of birds a mile away. Martin Robards from the For hunters who rely on the sea, can blacken the sky. While birds and eggs are popular food items, marine mammals are the main source of local food for the 1,400 people who live on St. Lawrence. The northern Bering Sea is home to Arctic species in winter and sub-Arctic species in summer, making it especially rich in both abundance and diversity of marine life. Commercial shipping poses a threat to this abundance, through disturbance of birds and mammals and, potentially, through oil or fuel spills. Our work with the St. Lawrence Leaving St. Lawrence Island with guide Perry Pungowiyi at the helm. Island Yupik and other peoples in the Wildlife Conservation Society and I are oil tankers and cargo vessels are a new region will help us identify areas to be here in our guide Perry Pungowiyi’s worry—for the health of the ocean avoided by ships, and other measures 18-foot skiff to better understand how and for the safety of people in 18-foot to promote safety and environmental increased commercial shipping will motorboats. The nonprofit Marine Ex- well-being, such as the AIS system we affect the wildlife and people of this change of Alaska built and operates are testing as well as speed restrictions, region. The St. Lawrence Island Yupik the Automated Identification System, shipping lanes, and better charting. have been here for millennia, and on or AIS, that track ships. Most com- For now, watching puffins fly past the Punuk Islands, the bones of whales mercial vessels are required to have in the fog, we are happy just to be on and walrus sit on the tundra, leaving no AIS transmitters, but they can also be the water, enjoying the beauty of an doubt as to how people live on a treeless carried by small ones, such as Perry’s area that few people see in person, skiff. Other vessels, as well as receiv- and reminding ourselves of why it Henry P. Huntington is a senior officer for The Pew Charitable Trusts, where he directs the ing stations on shore or on satellites in is important to conserve the sea and

science work of its Arctic programs. space, can see where the AIS-equipped the way of life it supports. n H untington P. H enry p h by Photogra

36 trust Fall 2013 kn End Note Racial Divides Remain

As summer ended, thousands gath- Have a Dream” speech. In a national Americans say racial disparities per- ered in Washington to mark the 50th survey marking the occasion, the Pew sist. The survey found that blacks are anniversary of the March on Wash- Research Center found that King’s more downbeat than whites about ington and Martin Luther King’s “I goal remains elusive and that many progress toward a color-blind society. The poll’s findings are echoed in the Still a Long Way to Go findings of the center’s analysis of U.S. government data on indicators How much progress toward racial How much more needs to be done? equality has the United States made? of well-being and civic engagement, including personal finance, life ex- pectancy, educational attainment, and voter participation which look Some Some at equality of outcomes rather than A lot 31% 36% A lot equality of opportunity. n 45% 49% Read the full report at pewresearch.org/ kings-dream

Don’t know A little Don’t A little know 12% 4% 10% Widening Gaps None 3% None 6% MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME 4% (2012 dollars) $80K Whites Blacks Political Party Viewpoints 70 Percent in each group who say the United States has made progress toward racial equality in the past 50 years: 60

Little, Little, Little, 50 none Gap none none $27,414 13% 16% 15% 40

A lot Gap 30 A lot $19,360 A lot Some 38% Some 20 56% 30% Some 48% 34% 44% 10

0 Republicans Democrats Independents ’72 1980 1990 2000 ’11

MARRIAGE RATE 80% A Divide on Perceptions Whites Blacks Percent who say black people's situation is better than five years ago Gap 70 13% 70 68% Whites Blacks 60 50 50 Gap 49% 49% 49% 40 24% 40 37% 39% 30 37% 35% 30 33% 32% 20 20 26% 20% 10 10 es I m ag Arc h ive/Getty Hulton 0 0 1984 1988 1999 2007 2009 2013 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 ’11 Nonprofit org u.s. postage paid Cinnaminson, nj Permit no. 579 One Commerce Square 2005 Market Street, Suite 2800 Philadelphia, PA 19103-7077 e s Ge tty Imag A FP/

What unites Muslims around the globe is their belief in God and the Prophet Muhammad, as well as fasting and almsgiving. But the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims are not monolithic in their commitment to their faith; their views on politics and democracy, women’s rights, and what practices are acceptable in Islam; or even who counts as a Muslim. —from “To Be Muslim,” Page 18 KEN AR E/ ATTA p h by Photogra

An Iranian boy amid Muslims attending weekly Friday prayers in Tehran during Ramadan in July.