With divisiveness permeating much of the national dialogue, the importance of civic engagement is being increasingly discussed as a solution in the media, college programs and podcasts. Check out some of the intriguing dialogue surrounding civic engagement:
For Democracy to Survive, it Requires Civic Engagement– In this article the author discusses how the recent lack of faith in institutions and democracy requires citizens to be engaged in order to “reinvigorate democratic practice.” She details three important ways citizens can strengthen the health of democracy through engagement.
Creating Civic Engagement in the Era of Content as a Service– Engagement is a two-way street; residents aren’t the only ones responsible for engaging with their government. In this article, the author discusses how governments can better utilize technology to engage residents in ways that are more convenient for them.
How to Practice Civic Engagement in 2018– Have you fallen short on your New Year’s Resolutions? It’s not too late. In this article, the author details four ways to become more civically engaged.
Colby Names Elizabeth Jabar to Lead Civic Engagement Program– Colleges are also recognizing the importance of civic engagement. “Elizabeth Jabar, an artist and educator who helped create a public engagement curriculum at Maine College of Art in Portland, has been named director of civic engagement and community partnerships at Colby College. In this new role, Jabar will work with professors, students, and local organizations to integrate projects with Colby’s academic programs.”
Podcast: An Experiment in Civic Engagement– Listen to MIT researchers explain how “citizen engagement has been crippled by trauma on both sides of the conversation — the public whose trust has been violated by broken promises and government agencies on the receiving end of blow-back.”
Podcast: What is The Move?– “This episode kicks off Season 1 by introducing the theme of the season — How do we build a new civic infrastructure that allows for a more complex public to do the work it needs to do for a fair and just society to be created?”
Workplaces Serve as Training Ground or Deterrent for Civic Participation– Does your workplace environment encourage or discourage civic participation? This article explains that, “When there is a more egalitarian office setting that fosters a sense of openness and agency, the workplace can serve as a springboard for increased democratic attitudes and behaviors. But dictatorial or authoritarian workplace environments and practices are likely to lead to reduced participation in civic life outside of the office”
