Promoting Civic Engagement Through Afterschool Programs | Asia Society Skip to main content

Unsupported Browser Detected.
It seems the web browser you're using doesn't support some of the features of this site. For the best experience, we recommend using a modern browser that supports the features of this website. We recommend Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge

  • Back to asiasociety.org
  • Professional Development
    • Online Courses
    • Events
  • Educator Resources
    • About Global Competence
    • Teaching for Global Understanding
    • Improve Your Chinese Language Teaching
    • Career and Technical Education
    • Global CTE Toolkit
    • Students CTE Toolkit
    • Secondary CTE Toolkit
    • Postsecondary CTE Toolkit
  • Our Ideas
    • Publications
    • Recent Articles
    • What is Global Competence?
  • Asia Society at Home
    • Asia Society Kids Booklists
    • Cooking with STEAM
    • At-Home Adventures Through Asia
    • Global Learning
    • Teaching Resources Hub
  • Education For Equity
    • Discussion Series: Teaching Truth to Power
    • Addressing Racism Through Global Competence
    • Staff Picks
    • #OwnVoices Virtual Reading Room
    • Raising Global Citizens
    • Spotlight on Asian Americans
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Where We Work
    • Our Initiatives
    • Results and Opportunities
    • News and Events
    • Institutional Independence Policy
Search
Center for Global Education
  • Professional Development
    • Online Courses
    • Events
  • Educator Resources
    • About Global Competence
    • Teaching for Global Understanding
    • Improve Your Chinese Language Teaching
    • Career and Technical Education
    • Global CTE Toolkit
    • Students CTE Toolkit
    • Secondary CTE Toolkit
    • Postsecondary CTE Toolkit
  • Our Ideas
    • Publications
    • Recent Articles
    • What is Global Competence?
  • Asia Society at Home
    • Asia Society Kids Booklists
    • Cooking with STEAM
    • At-Home Adventures Through Asia
    • Global Learning
    • Teaching Resources Hub
  • Education For Equity
    • Discussion Series: Teaching Truth to Power
    • Addressing Racism Through Global Competence
    • Staff Picks
    • #OwnVoices Virtual Reading Room
    • Raising Global Citizens
    • Spotlight on Asian Americans
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Where We Work
    • Our Initiatives
    • Results and Opportunities
    • News and Events
    • Institutional Independence Policy

  • Publications
  • Recent Articles
  • What is Global Competence?
    • Making the Case for Global Education

Promoting Civic Engagement Through Afterschool Programs

New issue brief showcases exemplary programs

Students do a civics exercise (Equity Alliance MN)
Equity Alliance MN

By Nikki Yamashiro, Director of Research, Afterschool Alliance

November 1, 2018

Earlier this week on my way into work, a father and his elementary-aged daughter were at the bottom of the metro escalator greeting metro riders with a huge sign that read "VOTE!"

Read It

Promoting Civic Engagement Through Afterschool Programs
View or Download the Brief

That sight brought a huge smile to my face; it was inspiring to see someone so young encouraging others to be civically engaged. The sign didn't advocate for any particular candidate, but to take part in the democratic process, and at a time when civic engagement levels are low—not only voting turnout, but volunteerism rates as well—it was heartening to see that act of involvement. Civic engagement, particularly at a younger age, is vital, and that is why the Afterschool Alliance and the Center for Global Education at Asia Society partnered to develop a new issue brief, Promoting Civic Engagement Through Afterschool Programs.

The issue brief shines a light on the interactive and immersive ways afterschool and summer learning programs are encouraging youth to be knowledgeable, engaged, and civically minded individuals. In afterschool and summer learning programs, civic engagement takes many forms.

At YWCA New Britain's House of Teens program, girls capture barriers to health in their neighborhood through a digital photo project, developing solutions and presenting their proposals to audiences that have included policymakers and community members.

Youth in Equity Alliance MN's Youth Executive Board (YEB) reflect on and discuss topics, such as implicit bias and the history of the civil rights movement, and student initiatives have included speaking to their school dean about proposed changes to the school's discipline policies.

Other programs spotlighted in the brief are Alternatives, Inc., in Hampton, Va.; After-School All-Stars Hawaii; and Washington state's YMCA of Port Angeles' Youth and Government program.

Cover: Promoting Civic Engagement Through Afterschool Programs

Through interviews with a handful of programs across the country who are lifting up youth voice and fostering civic engagement, we were able to hear the passion, dedication, and pride of program staff who see the young people in their programs increase their sense of personal and civic responsibility, gain confidence in their abilities, and view themselves as change agents.

Research has found that youth who are civically engaged are more likely to remain civically engaged as adults. With 3 in 4 superintendents agreeing that preparing students for engaged citizenship is a challenge for their district, afterschool and summer learning programs are a necessary partner in efforts promoting youth civic engagement.

Read the full issue brief to find out more about civics education best practices, discover innovative approaches to civic engagement being taken in the afterschool field, and find inspiration to exercise your right to vote on Tuesday, November 6!

The original version of this article is published on Afterschool Alliance's website. Reposted here with permission.

Civics and Global Citizenship

  • Students in a Model United Nations exercise (ITU Pictures/Flickr)
    resource

    Civics Education is the Foundation for Global Citizenship

    How civics education can prepare all students to be active citizens of the United States and the world.

Connect With Us

Asia Society
725 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021
t: 212-327-9260
education@asiasociety.org

Global Learning Updates


 
  • Publications
  • Recent Articles
  • What is Global Competence?
    • Making the Case for Global Education
About
  • Mission & History
  • Our People
  • Become a Member
  • Career Opportunities
  • Corporate Involvement
visit us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
global network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, D.C.
resources
  • Arts
  • Asia Society Magazine
  • ChinaFile
  • Current Affairs
  • Education
  • For Kids
  • Policy
  • Video
shop
  • AsiaStore
initiatives
  • Arts & Museum Summit
  • Asia 21 Young Leaders
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network
  • Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Asian Women Empowered
  • Center for Global Education
  • Center on U.S.-China Relations
  • China Learning Initiatives
  • Coal + Ice
  • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
  • Global Cities Education Network
  • Global Talent Initiatives
  • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
  • U.S.-China Dialogue
  • U.S.-China Museum Summit
Connect
Email Signup For the media
Asia Society logo
©2022 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government.
The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Learn more.

 

 

  • Visit Us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Global Network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC