University Of Minnesota Extension Stop And Think: Consider A Critical Approach To Civic Engagement

Press release from the University of Minnesota Extension:

August 30, 2021

Many community members can recall a time when they have been asked by an organization or group to take a survey or participate in a forum to share their opinion on a certain issue only to never be consulted again. This last-minute and transactional approach to civic engagement has been the norm for a long time.

Fortunately, this has been changing with organizations becoming more intentional in building equitable and inclusive approaches to community projects and efforts. How can we take it a step further and critically engage in meaningful ways that support sustainable change?

To deepen your civic engagement efforts, consider using these three aspects of University of Minnesota Associate Professor Dr. Tania D. Mitchell’s critical service-learning model:

Using this model in the context of civic engagement can guide us in critical reflection of past and current engagement efforts to be more effective in our work and deepen our relationships with the communities we partner with.

Continue deepening your understanding of what Dr. Mitchell names as critical and liberatory community engagement and by reading her short biography and list of publications on her Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development profile.

This press release was produced by the University of Minnesota Extension. The views expressed here are the author’s own.