In May 1990, the Republic of Latvia declared the restoration of its independence from the Soviet Union. After that declaration, many Latvians began to reform their schools' curricula and teaching methods. They replaced Soviet-era citizenship courses with new teaching materials and methods appropriate for educating the young citizens of a constitutional democracy. The Democracy Advancement Center (DAC) in Riga, Latvia, founded by Rusins Albertins of the United States, is just one of many civic education projects to emerge in the rush to reform Latvian education. Since 1993, the DAC has designed and developed materials for a new course in civic education at the upper-primary levels of school--the eighth and ninth grades. The DAC staff has been active in promoting civic education in the lower-primary grades as well. Course content stresses interaction between citizens and their constitutional government. Teaching methods emphasize active learning instead of passive reception of information. Teacher training for civic education is another critical component of the DAC's mission, and they have conducted numerous workshops and seminars for teachers in schools in Latvia since 1994. The DAC's relationships with colleagues in other countries--the United States, Poland, Estonia, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, The Netherlands, and Russia--have been crucial to its success. Present and future challenges for the DAC include further promotion and development throughout Latvian Society of knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for effective and responsible citizenship in the constitutional democracy of the Republic of Latvia. Contains 12 references. (LAP)