Civics & Community

Engagement

Topic#2: Civic Engagement

Course Teacher: Noor Ul Huda
Course Code: HUM208
 Defining Civic Engagement
Civic engagement refers to the ways in which citizens
participate in the life of a community in order to improve
conditions for others or to help shape the community’s
future.
or
Civic Engagement means working to make a difference in
the civic life of our communities and developing the
combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to
make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life
in a community, through both political and non political
process.
Development of Civic Engagement

On going
meaningful
social
interaction

Participatory
Focus on
&
Local
experimental
community
Development approaches

of Civic
Engagement

Lifelong
cognitive Action taking
skills
Outcomes for communities with strong civic
engagement
1. Government is more effective and more
innovative.
2. Less crime
3. Less poverty
4. More employment
5. Better and more sustainable policies
6. More frequent resident cooperation.
 Four constructs of civic engagement
Civic engagement is the process of working to make a
difference in the civic life of the community.

There are four constructs of civic engagement:

Civic Action,
Civic action or participation in activities such as
volunteering, or service-learning to help better the
community (Bobek, Zaff, Li & Lerner, 2009).
Civic commitment or duty,
Civic commitment or duty or the willingness to make
positive contributions to society.
 Civic skills,
or the ability to be involved in civil society, politics, and
democracy.
 Social Cohesion,
Or a sense of reciprocity, trust, and bonding to others.