POSTCARDS FROM THE FRONT
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With support from an endowment , we invited Eric Liu to come to campus as the CCCE ’ s inaugural speaker in fall 2019 . During his visit , Eric generously agreed to craft two distinct messages — one for our students and a second that we opened to an adult community of more than 300 parents , faculty , educators , and members of the surrounding towns . He motivated students to learn how to recognize and use their power , and he called adults back to the joy of their responsibilities as citizens in a democracy . He laid out the principles and skills of civic engagement that will define the work of the Center for Community and Civic Engagement for years to come . One of the most important benefits of his visit was that the entire school community received the same inspirational call to engage and heard the same definition of civics . In hindsight , however , I was too optimistic about what these audiences would
“ The CCCE also hosts an alumni speaker lunch series whose aim is to prove that the power to exert positive influence in public life can be exercised in every profession ... Active citizenship is not reserved for those who work in government or community organizing !” remember without multiple opportunities , in multiple forums , to reinforce that learning . If I had it to do over again , I would have partnered with the Communications office and created a visual component of the definition , ready to launch at the same time as Liu ’ s visit . Lesson learned : it is not only important to define civics for your community but to keep that definition in front of them .
Once the community has some degree of shared understanding of civics , the next question is : where does civics programming fit into the school experience ? What are the most effective forums in which students can learn and practice civic values , skills , and content knowledge ?
I have already touched on the advantage of one possible vector for civics instruction : an all-school speaker series which provides a shared experience for the entire community . The downside of the speaker series is the challenge of finding a speaker who is not exclusively associated with one side of the political spectrum . My approach has been to look for speakers who focus on civic skills , such as how to have a healthy argument or why empathy is important in democracies . Thus far , I ’ ve brought in a philosopher and a neuroscientist ( as opposed to inviting a politician and trying to require a blood oath to remain non-partisan ); both were well received . The CCCE also hosts an alumni speaker lunch series whose aim is to prove that the power to exert positive influence in public life can be exercised in every profession — from med-
Page 8 Summer 2021 CSEE Connections