Articles on Civic Engagement and Social Change

General

A Better Ride—PEPY Bike tours double as volunteering opportunities. By Julie French

Americans for Informed Democracy's Global Affairs Retreats: Students and scholars meet in Europe’s cities to turn up the dialogue and raise awareness on the world’s most pressing issues. By Marissa Lowman

More Than a Number: 350 campaign aims to influence global climate change legislation.
By Carolyn Beeler

Spreading Seeds of Compassion: International students visit the U.S. for an inspirational gathering. By Joyce McClure

Volunteer on Duke's Dime: Every undergraduate at Duke University has the opportunity to participate in a summer or semester-long immersive service experience in the United States or abroad, funded completely by Duke.

Youth Vote Overseas: A new group hopes to bring the overseas youth vote home. By Samantha Hammer


Multimedia

Watch Middlebury College Writing Lecturer Catharine Wright's videos to hear what civic engagement means and why it's important. Plus, read Wright's article "On Civic Engagement".

Africa

Beads of Hope: A jewelry-making program empowers women to change the face of AIDS in Uganda.
By Merritt Watts

Creating Peace from a Distance: Two University of Notre Dame alums launch Resolve Uganda, a worldwide campaign to end violence in Uganda. By Erica Schlaikjer

Garments for Good: Art meets activism when Joanna Bresee uses fashion to increase environmental awareness in Madagascar.

Microfinance in Senegal: Study abroad turned me into an economist. By Meg Young

Asia

Life in Isolation: Volunteers help rebuild homes and lives in the Dingwo Leprosy Rehabilitation Village in Guangxi Province, China. By Adina Matisoff

Local Farmers, Global Perspectives: Thai farmers advocate fair trade for all.
By Angela Kassahun and Talia Kahn-Kravis

Producing Grains of Change: Carolyn Barnwell received a Carrie Hunter-Tate Award from the National Association of Student Anthropologists (NASA) for her research and documentary video on organic rice communities in Thailand and their relationship to the Fair Trade economic model.

Latin America

Consensus at Huehuecoyotl: Building solutions for an ecovillage in Mexico. By Danielle Connor

 

Characteristics of an Effective Citizen

National Council for the Social Studies outlines what it views as the characteristics of an effective citizen:

• Embraces core democratic values and strives to live by them.
• Accepts responsibility for the well-being of oneself, one's family, and the community.
• Has knowledge of the people, history, and traditions that have shaped our local communities, our nation, and the world.
• Has knowledge of our nation's founding documents, civic institutions, and political processes.
• Is aware of issues and events that have an impact on people at local, state, national, and global levels.
• Seeks information from varied sources and perspectives to develop informed opinions and creative solutions.
• Asks meaningful questions and is able to analyze and evaluate information and ideas.
• Uses effective decision-making and problem-solving skills in public and private life.
• Has the ability to collaborate effectively as a member of a group.
• Actively participates in civic and community life.