Civic engagement
Civic engagement refers to the active involvement of individuals in their communities to address public issues and create positive change, both through political and nonpolitical means. This concept emphasizes informed participation, allowing citizens to influence the governance and resource allocation that directly affect their lives. While the notion of civic engagement has been present in society for a long time, it gained prominence in the latter half of the twentieth century. The activities classified under civic engagement can range from voting and campaigning in elections to volunteering for local organizations or participating in community service initiatives. Political engagement typically involves activities like registering voters, signing petitions, and lobbying local officials, while nonpolitical engagement often focuses on charity work and community improvement projects. Additionally, civic engagement plays a significant role in education, where it is integrated into curricula to promote awareness and involvement among young people. Ultimately, the core aim of civic engagement is to foster a sense of social responsibility and enhance community well-being through collective action.
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Subject Terms
Civic engagement
Civic engagement is the informed participation of citizens in their communities to identify public issues and initiate change through both political and nonpolitical processes. Change is constructive and targeted toward what is agreed to be the common good. The involvement of individuals and groups in their own governance allows them a say in the allocation of resources and the management of the institutions that affect their lives, often linking government and civil society. Though it is a broad topic that encompasses a wide variety of work, the overarching purpose of civic engagement is community improvement through active social responsibility.
Overview
Though citizen participation in community administration has long been a facet of everyday life, the concept of civic engagement is a relatively new one, taking root in the latter half of the twentieth century. The word "civic" refers to the community and the act of citizenship, while "engagement" indicates involvement and participation in an activity. Together, the two terms generally refer to voluntarily taking action as an informed member of a community to address a values-based concern. Civic engagement can be political or social, occurring on different scales and with different goals.
Political civic engagement most commonly involves elections. Voting is one of the most common types of civic engagement; when people vote, they are expressing a concern for their community and acting on it. Some citizens play a bigger role in elections by registering voters, canvassing, or working at polling stations, in addition to volunteering on political campaigns or giving them monetary contributions.
Additional forms of political civic engagement can include simply expressing opinions and sharing information. Contacting local officials, signing or creating petitions, participating in boycotts, and protesting are all forms of involvement. People can also become engaged by serving on boards for schools or other organizations, such as nonprofits.
Social participation in a community is a nonpolitical means of civic engagement and does not have to be for the benefit of an electoral or government organization. Charity work is one such example. Citizens can volunteer for an organization or raise funds for it; a popular means to do so is through events like foot races or bike rides that raise money and awareness for causes. The focus of these organizations can vary widely, addressing such issues as literacy, homelessness, domestic violence, public health, or community improvement. Most forms of volunteerism ultimately serve to solve problems, improve services, and foster community relations for the betterment of all.
In its varying forms, civic engagement is also used in education. It is often integrated into secondary and college education, where it is used to augment subjects such as civic education, social studies, and political science. Likewise, civic engagement is encouraged in student activities and organizations, and it is often used to bolster résumés and college applications. A primary goal of this is to raise awareness in young people about ongoing issues and community participation, in addition to educating them about governance and service.
Bibliography
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