Reference no: EM132876991

Civic engagement means working to make a difference in one's community 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 political and non-political processes. Civic participation encompasses a wide range of formal and informal activities.

• Some examples: Voting; volunteering; participating in group activities; attending meetings to get educated on matters of local, town or school governance; rallying or protesting; and even community gardening. Some are individual activities that benefit society (e.g., voting) or group activities that benefit either the group members (e.g., recreational soccer teams) or society (e.g., volunteer organizations). In addition to the direct benefit that civic engagement provides to the community, it can also produce secondary health benefits for participants, such as contributing to a feeling of belonging or purpose and increasing knowledge of issues.

Discussion 1: Based on your reading of the above, has your view of what constitutes the term "civic engagement" changed or expanded? Explain why, either yes or no, and use at least two specific examples.