Mickey Edwards served Oklahoma and America for 16 years in the United States Congress and currently directs the Rodel Fellowships at the Aspen Institute. He is the author of a new book, “The Parties Versus the People: How to Turn Republicans and Democrats into Americans.” NCoC’s Kristen Cambell chatted with him recently about the state of politics in our country—how we got into what he believes is a dysfunctional system, and what can be done to correct this moving forward.
On December 12th, NCoC and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) released Volunteering and Civic Life in America, providing national, state, city and geographic data on the ways in which Americans are engaged in their communities. Some findings show great promise—the national volunteer rate reached a five-year high and there are upward trends in the rates at which Americans help each other informally, by looking after one another’s kids or helping a neighbor in need. Other findings, however, show critical room for improvement. Over the next several weeks, NCoC will highlight some of the key findings of the 2012 report.
In his Inaugural Address on Monday, January 21st, President Obama reflected upon the Inauguration tradition as an opportunity to, “affirm the promise of our democracy.” The President then called upon Americans to embrace the critical role that we, the people, play to “set this country’s course.”
The President spoke of the unending work that each of us must do to protect and realize the rights put forward in our nation’s founding—echoing his message on Election Night that the, “role of citizen in our democracy does not end with your vote.”
The mission of our 65-year-old institution has always been to promote active citizenship, and we have often built atop that foundation to focus on specific strategies from time to time. In our current venture to define modern citizenship, we have noticed that promoting civil dialogue is critical and much more necessary now than it was 65 years ago.
NCoC is proud to work with efforts like The Democracy Project, encouraging leaders of our Republic to serve as examples of civil servants. Perhaps this leadership will be welcomed, rewarded, and imitated by the rest of our citizenry.
On April 21, 2011, Atlas Corps, Civic Enterprises, and NCoC hosted a panel discussion entitled “The Road to Democracy: My Reflections on the Egyptian Revolution.” Three Egyptian women shared their first-hand experience during the Revolution.
Here, Scott Beale, CEO of Atlas Corps, flips the coin to reflect on what American activists, nonprofit professionals, and social entrepreneurs can learn from the Egyptian Revolution.
In this guest post, Karen Baker explores the important role each sector can plan in tapping individual civic energy for social good in communities.
“A multi-sector approach is based on the idea that each sector will collaborate to find a solution to a problem based on its own strengths with the end goal of offering people a pathway to engagement. It is simply the idea of letting each sector play to its strengths, with a resource broker making the connection.”
The findings of a new CIRCLE study, ”Youth Civic Engagement in the United States, 2008–2010: Understanding a Diverse Generation,” shatter stereotypes and dispel conventional myths about the ways in which young people ages 18–29 are involved in the United States political system.
Yesterday a new movement called No Labels was launched founded on the credo of “Not left. Not right. Forward”. This movement is about changing the culture of American politics, through things like fostering civil dialogue and political compromise. Karlo Marcelo reflects on the initiative’s goals and asks: Could this be the start of a new kind of American politics?
What makes youth civic engagement “authentic?” How can cities move beyond token levels of youth participation in local decision-making toward efforts that truly prepare and empower youth to be active, engaged citizens?
Leon Andrews of the National League of Cities discusses their new guide which provides a definition and framework for what authentic youth engagement in municipal government can look like.
In a piece originally appearing on the Huffington Post, NCoC Advisory Board Chairman John Bridgeland discusses the importance of moving government from status quo funder to catalytic partner of social invention.
Bridgeland suggests the Administration could catalyze civic invention through development of social innovation offices in government agencies, bipartisan agenda support, and signature summits, among other actions.
Last week President Barack Obama addressed Congress and the rest of the nation with his plans to restore America. The president highlighted the importance of the Serve America Act to the spirit of renewal and commitment to country. The president’s challenge to young people to complete high school and to commit to at least one year of post high school education reminds us that every American can and will be pivotal to moving our country to its next level of excellence.
NCoC partner, Youth Service America reports how service may help young people with direction and leadership skills. ServiceNation offers some views on the president’s Congressional Address. Read what’s happening.
Do you have a story you’d like to share about service and its role in renewing America? Go to our comment section and let us know.
In challenging times punctuated by accusations of wasteful spending, special interests, and corporate greed, individuals are demanding accountability, respect, and trust from the governments and institutions that claim to serve the public interest.
Can putting extra emphasis on transparency bridge the trust gap between government and the public? And what role does public participation play in crossing that divide?
Join the discussion and read commentary from experts from the Sunlight Foundation, Mobilize.org, and the International Journal of Public Participation.