Development Of Civic Engagement Research Articles

New perspectives on civic engagement as outcome of higher education: an exploratory case study

This study explores the potential of a new perspective on research into the impact higher education has on the civic engagement of students. We propose a shift from viewing engagement itself as the key dependent variable to two ‘fundamental constituents’, political interest and agency. Both constituents have been presented as either static or determined entirely by factors external to education such as maturation, but also as dynamic and affected by various aspects of the educational experience in higher education. Furthermore, as analyses of these effects based on sample means do not account sufficiently for the intersectionality of background variables that define the student experience, we propose that data are explored through cluster analysis. Employing this type of analysis, a case study conducted at a small international liberal arts college in the Netherlands showed four distinctly different patterns in the development of both constituents of civic engagement. Based on further data obtained from the same sample, we offer suggestions for specific foci in further research about the impact of higher education on the development of civic engagement.

СУЧАСНІ ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ ЗАЛУЧЕННЯ ФІНАНСУВАННЯ СОЦІАЛЬНИХ ІНІЦІАТИВ

The article discusses the development and establishment of crowdfunding as a modern technology for raising funds for the implementation of social projects and initiatives. The term "Crowdfunding" should be understood as a model of collective financing or collective cooperation of a large number of people who voluntarily pool their financial and other resources, mainly via the Internet, to support projects, organizations, other people, etc. The results of the study confirmed the conclusion that funding for social initiatives is decreasing not only in Ukraine but also abroad; the main reasons for this decrease are changing priorities in activities, financial problems of donors, etc. In the context of war, the main advantages of the crowdfunding model of fundraising, compared to traditional ones, include the following: the ability to accumulate a significant amount of resources from a large number of investors, the ability to determine the areas of expenditure more broadly, the speed of receiving funds, greater transparency of information about investment objects, accountability and responsibility of companies to the community of investors or donors, the presence of social impact, and the possibility of wider use of digital tools. Therefore, one of the current challenges is the formation and development of networks of crowdfunding platforms in Ukraine, based on the principles inherent in international platforms. The study reveals the dependence of the development of civic engagement and crowdfunding, in particular, it shows that the public manifests social initiatives through charitable and volunteer actions (targeted actions), as well as through the development of industry clusters (social enterprises), advocacy coalitions, etc. It is noted that financing through crowdfunding platforms allows accumulating not only financial assets, but also human capital in the form of a combination of skills and knowledge, developing the cultural capital of the local community; promotes social cohesion. It is emphasized that the implementation of social initiatives is more effective if the level of public trust in these projects and their actors increases.

A Logic Model Using Theory of Change Applied in Grant Development of Civic Engagement for Racial Justice in Public Libraries

This poster highlights insights from application of a logic model using Theory of Change (ToC) applied in ongoing grant development of civic engagement for racial justice in public libraries of the American South. An externally funded grant project, Civic Engagement for Racial Justice in Public Libraries (RJ@PL), awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ “National Leadership Grants for Libraries” to the University of Alabama and the Chicago State University serves as focus in partnership with multiple state public libraries (August 2022 – July 2025). RJ@PL explores the role of public libraries in their support of racial justice and positive social change in communities. RJ@PL is conceptualized in five interrelated components in the logic model: (1) Assessment; (2) Strategic planning; (3) Actualization of information-based solutions; (4) Evaluation; (5) Dissemination. Data collected will help develop contextually relevant strategic information tools (e.g., roadmap, action plan, taxonomic framework of information responses) for civic engagement that public libraries can use to overcome problems related to racism in their communities. ToC will be used to develop the community engagement frameworks and strategic action plans. ToC is an approach to creating change that emerged from the efforts of philanthropic associations that funded comprehensive community change initiatives; it was developed to measure philanthropically funded projects’ progress and determine their efficacy in meeting their goals (Andrews, 2005; Weiss, 1995). RJ@PL bridges gaps at multiples levels, including (not limited to) social justice scholarship, competences and practices, and has strong implications for LIS education.
 

Social capital as a factor in the development of civic engagement of students

Introduction. In modern conditions of becoming of a civil society and the constitutional state the public attention is concentrated on modern youth whose civic activity affects how the tasks set for society and the state will be implemented. Purpose setting. The future of Russia is largely determined by the values that are emerging today in the communities of schoolchildren and students. In this regard, the objective of forming conceptual representations about the processes of formation of civic engagement of young people becomes to be relevant. The purpose of this study is to analyze the social capital of the individual as a factor influencing the civic activity of young people studying both at school and at university, including those who are representatives of the Russian movement of schoolchildren. Methodology and methods of the study. The paper provides a theoretical systematic and meaningful analysis of such variables that form social capital as the value attitudes of young people, the level of trust in various agents of influence and the strength of communication with them. Results. The conducted correlation analysis confirmed the hypothesis that exists a relationship between these variables and the object of study. It is shown that modern youth is largely focused on solving their own problems, focused on the "inner circle", is not inclined to trust people in general, lacks solidarity values, concentrating on individualistic interests, and this significantly hinders their inclusion in the manifestation of civic activity. The exception is the representatives of the Russian movement of schoolchildren, who have a high level of trust in the state, patriotic ideals and willingness to interact with public organizations, they are prone to civic responsibility and social activity. Conclusion. It is necessary to create mechanisms for the inclusion of young people in various communities to solve socially significant issues, to strengthen the values of solidarity, as well as to form a unified value system in the youth environment, in which not only universal values, but also patriotism would occupy a significant place.

Pakikipagkapwa: Pathways in Developing Civic Engagement among Student Leaders

The realm of academe has a vital role in civic engagement development among student leaders. The study aimed to analyze the perceived routes and attributes in developing civic engagement among nine former college student leaders from a CICM school recruited using purposive sampling. The study employed a qualitative research design. Online photo-elicitation interview with auto-driving was the main data measure. Participants were asked to take photos that best capture the pathways in molding civic engagement. Framework analysis and establishment of trustworthiness were employed for analysis and validation. Pathways are inculcation of values, spirited involvement in extra-curricular activities, embarking with a sense of purpose, character and interpersonal skills building, and rooted in chosen discipline or course. Moreover, the facilitative attributes are authentic social interest, pivotal core values, experiential learning space, and a supportive academic ecosystem. The pakikipagkapwa and civic engagement shared a common ground that the community is hindi ibang tao. Consequently, the synergy between routes and characteristics of the school molds civic engagement among the participants. It is suggested to strengthen its leadership training by including necessary characteristics or traits related to civic-mindedness and interpersonal skills.

Developing Social Justice Outcomes Through Service Learning Among Sport Management Students

Service learning has been recognized as a high-impact educational practice that promotes students’ development of civic engagement and social justice outcomes. However, service-learning courses are not guaranteed to foster social justice outcomes and may perpetuate the very biases and stereotypes that social justice education is designed to counter. In addition, there is a lack of research assessing service-learning courses in sport management that are being used to promote a more critical form of social justice education rather than the mere awareness of social disparities. This article explores the ways in which an intentionally designed social justice service-learning course can potentially lead sport management students toward more equitable perceptions of service relationships. The research team analyzed reflection papers (N = 40) from students who each participated in one semester of the service-learning course across nine consecutive semesters. The following themes emerged from the data: charity-oriented relationship, social justice-oriented relationship, reciprocity, and a critique of paternalism. The findings in this study extend current sport management service-learning research by revealing how a social justice service-learning course can foster a more critical understanding of service through critical discussions, specific readings, critical reflection, and service activities.

Cohort differences in the development of civic engagement during adolescence.

Investigating whether changing societal circumstances have altered the development of civic engagement, this study compared developmental changes from mid- to late adolescence (i.e., age 15-18) across two cohorts of representative Swiss samples (born in 1991, N = 1258, Mage T1 =15.30, 54% female, 33% migration background representing diverse ethnicities; born in 2000, N=930, Mage T1 =15.32, 51% female; 33% migration background). Findings from latent multigroup models revealed similar levels in attitudes about social justice in both cohorts, remaining stable over time. Adolescents reported lower levels of political efficacy and informal helping in the cohort born in 2000. Both aspects slightly increased during adolescence. Informal helping had a steeper increase in the 1991 compared to the 2000 cohort, suggesting developmental differences between cohorts.

Драйверы формирования гражданской активности населения в муниципальных образованиях Российской Федерации

Introduction: population’s civic engagement can be considered as a predictor to the formation of a constructive dialogue with the authorities, the involvement of initiative residents in resolving issues of local importance. Objectives: to analyze the specifics of the civic engagement development at the local level, to determine the drivers of its formation. Methods: questionnaire survey of the Russian municipalities’ residents. The final sample, based on the principle of spontaneous selection, included municipalities from 32 Russian regions. Results: the key drivers of the population’s civic engagement were systematized, and their significance for various socio-demographic groups was determined. In particular, “having trusted leaders and organizers” is one of the key drivers for the older generation and youth. This need is more relevant in the public opinion of large cities residents. For the rural population, the most significant driver for civic engagement formation is “constructive dialogue and partnerships with local authorities”. The respondents show interest to various forms of support for social partnership practices, with the focus on legal and organizational aspects that ensure the articulation of the opinions and positions of residents, the protection of their rights and interests. It has been established that the population’s civic engagement has the highest potential for its formation in large Russian cities. Conclusions: the heads of local governments have the greatest opportunities for the development of population’s civic engagement in comparison with other levels of government. The key task in this context is to build trust and reduce social distance between the municipality and residents, as well as to promote active leadership position and the readiness of local government leaders for a constructive dialogue with initiative residents, and to accumulate reputational capital of power.

The role of social media in strengthening civic engagement in the Middle East and North Africa

PurposeThis article explores the current trends in civic engagement in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region after a decade of social media growth in the region.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is based on a case studies approach. In these case studies, the authors use an exploratory approach to case study research. The authors employ a mixed-method approach to exploring the development of civic engagement in the MENA region.FindingsThe study’s finding shows that the MENA region's social media growth has enabled digital natives to play a vital role in enriching and empowering their communities and their lives.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper could have explored more examples from around the MENA region.Practical implicationsThe paper's practical significance is the understanding that the ground is shifting around Internet access and how digital natives in the MENA region are employing it for their civic engagement initiative. It is an important indication that the MENA region's next innovation could be in the civic engagement arena. Unlike their parents, who are digital immigrants, these young and energetic digital natives are out to shape all aspects of their lives. Paving the way for more innovative and creative ways of civic engagement in the MENA region.Originality/valueThe paper explores civic engagement development in the MENA region, shedding light on the issues concerning MENA region youth such as cleaning the environment, waste and food recycling, combating extremism, developing education curricula and even promoting peace. The paper's value is that it gives an update on civic engagement in the MENA region.

Факторы развития гражданской активности населения в современных условиях

Факторы развития гражданской активности населения в современных условиях

THE ROLE OF FACEBOOK IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN MOROCCO

The study investigates the factors that inspire Moroccans to engage in both online and offline civic efforts. The inquiry targeted demographics, frequency of Facebook use, the influence of online engagement on participation in real life and the main motivations behind Moroccan civic engagement online. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were adopted to collect and analyze both primary and secondary data. An online survey was administered to (n=277) participants through Facebook targeting the general public of Moroccan Facebook users to collect primary data. Secondary data was collected via semi-structured interviews with (n=3) social activists to provide a comprehensive view of both normal citizens and people who can be considered specialists in the field. The findings revealed the extent to which Moroccans’ usage of Facebook influences their engagement both online and offline, indicating that social media use for civic purposes is significantly related to offline participation. Despite that, higher levels of the so-called “slacktivism” behaviors dominate Moroccans’ civic activities performed on Facebook. Findings in general support the fact that Facebook plays a significant role in the development of civic engagement in Morocco.

Critical factors in the institutionalization of e-participation in e-government in Europe: Technology or leadership?

This article examines citizen participation as a key factor for the sustainable development of democracy and public institutions. The purpose of this study is to offer a theoretical and empirical description of the status of civic engagement in e-participation in Europe. The article examines the necessary yet challenging goal of engaging citizens so that they participate in and improve our advanced society in a sustainable manner. Two research methods are used: a critical literature review and quantitative data analysis. The findings contribute to the development of civic engagement in public decision making.

Social Engagement as an Initial Capital for the Development of Civic Engagement Students in Boarding Schools

Civic engagement is defined as the active participation of citizens individually or collectively in community life based on skills, expertise, knowledge, which combines with values, motivation and commitment to make changes in order to improve the quality of people's lives for the better. The progress of information technology and the very rapid development of science in the current era of globalization, have a negative impact on social change in society. Today's young generation tends to be individualistic and hedonistic. They focus life orientation more on self-achievement rather than being involved in social problems in society. Boarding schools are a suitable environment in an effort to develop civic engagement, especially among boarding students because they have a good social attachment to one another. This study aims to find out how social engagement of students in boarding schools is an important initial capital for the development of civic engagement. This research uses a qualitative method using purposive sampling technique. The subjects of this study include Civics Education teachers, Boarding Advisors, and students. Data collection was carried out using document study techniques, interviews, and observations. Data analysis technique is done by data reduction, data presentation, drawing conclusions, and verification. The results of this study indicate that social engagement among boarding students is influenced by factors of fate, equality of interest, and the presence of intense and continuing interactions. This social attachment is the initial capital for the development of civic engagement, especially in the stages of growing empathy.

ГРОМАДСЬКЕ ЗАЛУЧЕННЯ У НІМЕЧЧИНІ В УМОВАХ ГЛОБАЛЬНОГО РОЗВИТКУ

Вивчаються технології та форми громадського залучення на прикладі сучасної Німеччини. Розкриваються особливості громадського залучення, зокрема участь у волонтерській діяльності. Наголошується на наявності диференціації різноманітних форм громадської взаємодії, що охоплюють всі сфери суспільного буття. Підкреслюється значення добровільної громадської участі та її впливу на внутрішню та зовнішню політику країни, на міжнародні відносини загалом. Окреслено історичні віхи розвитку громадської участі у сучасній Німеччині. Доводиться, що громадянське залучення - це процес, в якому громадяни здійснюють колективні дії для вирішення питань, що становлять суспільний інтерес і сприяють демократії. Наголошується, що громадське залучення вирішує низку суспільних проблем, серед яких, зокрема, недостатнє представлення різноманітних груп інтересів, тим самим знижуючи рівень суспільної напруги у суспільстві. Підкреслюється, що розуміння всіх варіантів громадянської участі розвиває «демократію різноманітності», що визначається як спосіб впливати на рішення влади у міжвиборчий період. Наголошується на необхідності проведення заходів із інформування громадян про події та явища суспільно-політичного життя. З’ясовано, що інтенсифікацію демократизації посттоталітарних суспільств спричиняє ступінь розвитку громадського залучення у вирішення суспільно-політичних проблем. Нові агенти впливу – громадяни, що є залученими до різних форм взаємодії виступають носіями нової партисипаторної демократії, що веде до стабілізації політичної, економічної систем та міжнародної системи загалом. Визначається, що чинниками до лобіювання громадської участі, що призведе до подолання ірраціональності і пасивності людей в політичній сфері — є освіта і надання рівних можливостей для участі в політиці. Тому кожному суспільству належить створити всі умови для активної політичної соціалізації кожного індивіда.З’ясовано, що у політичному діалозі та прийнятті рішень громадське залучення допомагає стримувати конфлікти, що виникають через непорозуміння у сторін, сприяючи встановленню конструктивного діалогу міжнародних акторів у сучасній системі міжнародних відносин.

Citizenship in Multicultural Communities in the South of Russia

The study deals with the analysis of citizenship as a perception, value, and attitude in mental programs of various social groups, determining their civic behavior in regional communities in the south of Russia. Characteristic aspects of citizenship as an attitude in the structure of mental programs determine civic practices involving the participation of respondents in civic initiatives and resolution of social problems. The methodological basis of the study of citizenship in regional communities in the south of Russia consists of a multidisciplinary approach that allows using information that was obtained in various fields of scientific knowledge. The multidimensional methodological construct of social research of the structure of mental programs as a set of perceptions, values, and attitudes that determine the civic engagement of various social groups is methodologically important for the study of characteristic aspects of citizenship. Findings of social research into perceptions of citizenship established in regional communities in the south of Russia, serve as an empirical basis. In the course of the study, the authors conclude that regional communities in the south of Russia are lacking a stable attitude towards civic participation, which allows drawing a conclusion about the low level of formedness of the culture of civic participation. The reason for social inertia consists of, first, the lack of belief in the effectiveness of joint civic activity in the majority of the population, second, in the lack of social trust in the regions of the South of Russia. Findings obtained allow us to understand the reasons for the low level of development of civic engagement in regional communities, which stem from etatist and paternalistic structures of mental programs impeding the formation of civic society institutions in multi-ethnic regions of the South of Russia.

Использование знаковых мест региона в деятельности Российского движения школьников по воспитанию гражданской активности

Nowadays, management issues of civic engagement development in children and adolescents are an important area of teaching activities. Civic engagement of modern school students is regarded in the study as a process of self-organization that can be positively affected by an adult. The author carries out the research into the level of students’ civic engagement development and analyzes relevant regional practices by a case study of the Russian Movement of Schoolchildren. Besides, the paper presents the routes to famous landmarks of Tyumen region worked out and inves-tigated by local school students. Region’s land-marks have great significance to the Russian Movement of Schoolchildren in the context under review. The research findings can serve as the basis for recommendations to develop civic engagement in children and adolescents.

Political efficacy and interest as mediators of expected political participation among Belgian adolescents

Citizenship education intends to prepare students to become politically active citizens. However, studies investigating the relationship between citizenship education and political participation have largely neglected the mediating role of political attitudes. This study examines whether political efficacy and political interest are mediators of expected political participation, using the data of the Belgian (Flemish) sample of the ICCS 2016 study. The results indicate that three educational strategies (i.e., classroom discussions, civic learning opportunities, and student participation at school) are positively associated with expected political participation (i.e., institutionalized and noninstitutionalized participation) in a distinct way. A substantial part of this relationship is mediated by political interest and political efficacy. Future research should take this underlying mechanism into account when studying the development of civic engagement amongst adolescents in a school context. The findings of this study call for a broad approach to citizenship education for the development of political attitudes, as well as behavior.

Developing Pupils’ Civic Engagement in the Republic of Kazakhstan: New Approaches and Solutions

Objective: This study is aimed at searching and simultaneously developing favorable pedagogical conditions for the development of civilian competence among seniors in the educational space of modern secondary school. Methods: Research methods include theoretical - The analysis and study of investigated problem in the scientific literature, official documents; analysis of educational-methodical documentation; empirical - observation, interviews, surveys, modeling, interviewing, testing, oral and written survey, practical assignments, study of pedagogical experience at vocational schools; statistical - mathematical and statistical processing of the results obtained during the study. Findings: The experimental work implemented by a group of authors in the context of the study resulted in positive outcomes, which indicates enhancing the theoretical and methodological teachers' training level: knowledge of the essence of students' civic engagement, its constituent aspects, norms and principles of organizations; teachers' training for the implementation of active civic engagement in the process of organization of students' educational and non-school hours activities; the level of professional and pedagogical skills for engaging teenagers in a variety of activities, adequate to civil activity components. A comparative analysis of the experimental work content with the data on the positive dynamics of changes in the levels of senior pupils' civic engagement development in the experimental groups allows for the conclusion about the effectiveness of the scientific and methodological recommendations draft developed by the authors and the validity of the underlying general hypothesis of the study. Application/Improvements: In general, the efficiency of developing senior pupils' civic engagement in the educational environment of the secondary school will significantly increase if the model and the totality of pedagogical conditions developed during the pilot study will be implemented.

Civic Engagement and Cosmopolitan Leadership

This chapter explores the leadership qualities participants identified as pivotal to the development of civic engagement at a large, suburban community college.

Challenges of adolescent psychology in the European identity context.

In Europe, the question of identity and youth civic engagement constitutes a challenge both for the European Union (EU) and for research on adolescent psychology. In this article, we discuss the European historical context and the current initiatives from the EU that aim to encourage civic engagement among young people. Then, we suggest some research directions in youth civic engagement and identity formation, which could contribute to the facilitation of the initiative drawn by the EU. These directions include (a) understanding the role and the dynamics of the sense of belonging to the different levels of social communities into sociocultural contexts (such as continental, national), and (b) the development of civic engagement during adolescence integrating the various components of civic engagement and identity formation processes. Finally, (c) the specificities of sociocultural contexts and the diversity of multifaceted identity with regard to cultural, social, and ethnic groups should be taken into account.