A national drive to increase the participation of college students in politics will have a Kansas flavor.

The Dole Institute of Politics at Kansas University is helping sponsor an effort that is being headed by the Harvard Institute of Politics, which is led by Dan Glickman, a former Kansas congressmen and former U.S. secretary of agriculture.

“Engaging young people in politics is essential for the future of our democracy and an important role for every educational institution in the nation,” Glickman said Thursday.

Representatives from KU and 10 other partner institutions of higher education will meet today in Boston for a strategic planning session.

Representing KU will be student body president Andy Knopp, a Manhattan senior; Jennifer Donnally, a junior from Lawrence; and Barbara Ballard, associate vice provost for student success and a Democratic state legislator.

The group, which will be called the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement, will come up with ideas to increase interest in politics among young people.

The group also will compose recommendations on promoting political and civic engagement; create training opportunities to increase youth participation; and produce a “playbook” that offers campaigns advice on reaching young voters.

“Our national campaign will facilitate an open exchange of ideas and information as we all join together to seek effective ways to encourage young people to participate in the political process,” Glickman said.