Civic engagement | Citizenship | High school civics | Khan Academy

Summary

The video discusses civic engagement, emphasizing that it goes beyond politics and government. Civic engagement includes actions taken by individuals and groups to improve their communities, such as volunteering, organizing events, and addressing community needs. It highlights various forms of involvement, from organizing protests to supporting local causes like education or disaster recovery. The video encourages viewers to think about their roles in different communities, including physical, online, or interest-based groups, and to consider how they can contribute to positive change in their surroundings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Civic engagement is the actions of local leaders and residents to improve their community and the lives of community members.
• 😀 Communities are not just physical locations but can include groups such as schools, sports clubs, social media networks, and identity groups.
• 😀 Anytime people join together with a common interest, they are part of a community.
• 😀 Civic engagement involves working to improve the quality of life in a community through various means, not limited to politics and government.
• 😀 Politics is defined as the process by which people make collective decisions despite differing opinions, which are considered binding and enforced as policy.
• 😀 Civic engagement can involve engaging with government, volunteering, organizing social, political, or economic causes, and promoting positive change.
• 😀 Examples of civic engagement include organizing a voter registration drive, hosting town meetings, organizing protests, or raising awareness about community issues through blogs or websites.
• 😀 Helping others gain skills or resources to succeed is also an important form of civic engagement.
• 😀 Civic engagement can be as simple as seeing a need in the community and filling it, such as building a ramp for a homeowner in a wheelchair.
• 😀 Volunteer activities like helping to rebuild after natural disasters or supporting education (e.g., helping students build reading skills) are excellent examples of civic engagement.

Q & A

What is civic engagement?

Civic engagement refers to the actions of local leaders and residents aimed at improving their community and the lives of its members. It involves active participation in efforts to enhance the quality of life within a community.

How is community defined in the context of civic engagement?

Community is not just defined by physical location. It can also refer to groups like a school, club sport, online gaming community, social media networks, or identity groups. Civic engagement can take place in any of these communities where individuals come together with a common interest.

Is civic engagement only about politics and government?

No, civic engagement includes a wide range of activities. While engaging with politics and government is one form, it also involves volunteering, serving the community, and organizing for social, political, and economic causes.

How is politics defined in the context of civic engagement?

Politics is defined as a process through which people reach collective decisions, even when they have diverging opinions. These decisions are generally regarded as binding on the group and enforced as common policy.

What is an example of civic engagement?

Examples of civic engagement include organizing a voter registration drive, hosting a town meeting, organizing a protest, raising awareness about community issues through blogs or websites, and volunteering to help others get the skills or resources they need.

How can someone practice civic engagement in their community?

Someone practicing civic engagement might work to fill a community need, such as helping to build a reading program for children, volunteering in disaster recovery efforts, or ensuring that accessibility needs, like wheelchair ramps, are met in homes.

What role do skills, knowledge, values, and motivation play in civic engagement?

In civic engagement, individuals develop a combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to make a positive difference in their community. These elements enable them to take action and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of the community.

Can you give an example of civic engagement involving young people?

A good example of civic engagement involving young people is an Eagle Scout project where a ranger station was built. This demonstrates how youth can contribute to their community in meaningful ways.

Why is volunteering to rebuild after a hurricane an example of civic engagement?

Volunteering to help rebuild after a hurricane is an example of civic engagement because it shows active participation in disaster recovery and community restoration, addressing immediate needs and improving the lives of those affected.

How does civic engagement affect a person’s role in their community?

When practicing civic engagement, a person actively contributes to the improvement of their community by addressing needs, solving problems, and working with others to create positive change, unlike when they're not engaged and may not actively participate in community efforts.