1. Stay up to date on (local) politics
Knowledge is power, so make sure to stay informed on what happens around you. Read the local newspaper or the town newsletter with your Sunday morning breakfast. Follow local politicians on social channels and, if you want, ask questions directly.
2. Volunteer in your community
Get your hands dirty if you can! Every small act of volunteering goes a long way. After all, you’re directly impacting the existence of important organisations, charities and individuals in your city or municipality.
3. Share your ideas and spark the debate
Is your city or municipality launching a digital citizen participation project? Great! That means that your administration is actively asking for your input. After all, who knows better what a community needs than its citizens?
4. VOTE!
We get the chance to let our voices be heard every couple of years at the ballot box. It might not feel very impactful when you’re checking the name or party of your choice, but the importance of casting your vote can’t be understated.
5. Check your privilege and create space
Almost every person in this world is born with a certain amount of privilege. That means that they have a special advantage over certain other people or groups. Get informed on topics that don’t affect you directly, and create space for voices that aren’t heard as often in your community.
6. Scratch that cultural itch
Going to the library, visiting a local museum or heading to a concert isn’t just fun and enriching, it’s also beneficial for your community as a whole. Cultural organisations enable local people to read, write, and appreciate arts and music in an inclusive and accessible way.
7. Support local businesses
Instead of shopping in bigger chains, try spending your hard-earned money at a local business. It’ll make your community flourish!
To read about the next steps about becoming civically engaged, follow the link below:
https://www.citizenlab.co/blog/civic-engagement/10-easy-ways-to-be-a-more-engaged-citizen/
Universities play a key role in producing and disseminating knowledge through their research and teaching. Their civic role is equally important, and many universities have been very active in this area. Has COVID-19 put the brakes on their civic engagement?
The outbreak has constituted a critical moment for higher education. In the most affected countries, universities’ first priorities were to transfer teaching to online platforms and close most laboratories, except those that refocused their activities on COVID-19 research. Then they focused on how to maintain their civic engagement.
Typically, civic engagement is local. It usually includes community-based participatory research, volunteer projects, initiatives aimed at economic and social development and community access to cultural events and sports facilities. These activities are difficult to pursue when students are gone from their campuses and local communities are in lockdown.
Students are shopping for or reaching out to the elderly, for example, or serving as tutors to disadvantaged school children. Armies of students in health-related fields are volunteering in hospitals and other public places as needed. Engineering students are creating face shields for first responders and health workers. Chemistry students are producing sanitisers and the chemical agents that hospitals need.
Academic staff have also sprung into action. University labs are producing coronavirus test kits. Medical faculties are donating their ventilators, facemasks and other personal safety equipment. Scientists are writing articles and are ever present in the media to explain in accessible terms what this crisis is about, how the public should respond and what to expect in the future.
What better way than civic engagement, folded into research and teaching activities, to ensure that students develop into good citizens and for universities and their staff to exercise their social responsibility.
To read more about high education taking action with civic engagement in this time, follow the link below:
The European E-learning Institute (EUEI) is committed to providing high-quality learning experiences and innovative educational programmes which engage learners from a range of sectors and socio-economic backgrounds. EUEI is committed to promoting social cohesion, inclusion, and sustainability across Europe, making them a perfect fit for the Co Cre Aid Project.
Our experienced team of trainers, researchers and technical experts are uniquely placed to guide educators from VET, HEI, Adult and Youth sectors to harness the opportunities that innovative and collaborative e-learning and digital tools offer for learners.
We specialise in the delivering of high quality, responsive and innovative projects to educators and learners in the topics of pedagogic approaches, entrepreneurial competences, digital skills, inclusion, and sustainability.
Meet our Climate Champions at EUEI working on the COCREAID project
Canice Hamill- Managing Director
Canice has worked in the field of lifelong education for over 20 years and is recognised as an expert in instructional design and the development of e-learning solutions for education and training. A former trainer and lecturer, Canice utilises a holistic approach to creating innovative, interactive learning environments and works closely with tutors, trainers, and development teams, emphasising the importance of empathy and user experience in every learning solution.
Our Logician -Innovative Inventors with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge
Catherine Neill- European Project Manager
An experienced EU project manager, Catherine is an integral member of our team. She is an effective communicator and has a strong background in areas of Inclusion. The oldest of 5 children Catherine quickly learned how to lead the pack, utilising organisational skills alongside her passion for helping others, she is committed to making the world a more accessible, sustainable, and friendly place.
Our Protagonist -Charismatic and inspiring leaders, able to mesmerise their listeners.
Aine Hamill- European Project Officer
Aine plays an important role in the learning design and subsequently in evaluating the effectiveness of our eLearning products on completion. Aine is always keen to engage with her creative side and implement the newest digital tools, pedagogies, and trends into our e-learning solutions. She is passionate about finding effective and relevant ways to engage learners from all walks of life.
Our Defender-dedicated and warm protectors, able to implement ideas and “create order from chaos”.
Including our key role in the initiation of the SFEC project we will also work tirelessly alongside our project partners to deliver the highest quality project results as possible. Within the project EUEI will develop the project website and be responsible for the technical realisation of the materials.
Learn more about EUEI here:www.euei.dk