Debra Lesser Maison Rippeteau Justice Resource Center, New York City

1. Debra Lesser Maison Rippeteau Justice Resource Center, New York City

2. Program Partners American Federation of Teachers Senior and expert Advisors Teacher Advisors Independent Evaluator Domestic (United States) Partners Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Freedom House Overview of the Project

3. Project Rationale and Significance “Democracy depends on civic engagement…” “Teaching young citizens the tools of civic engagement…is necessary to better society.” “The project endeavors to reinforce theoretical understanding of the value of civic engagement through the compelling lens of personal narratives.” “The power of a firsthand account can be an invaluable learning supplement that lends texture, color, drama, and emotion to events…” “Oral history projects bring history alive.” “There is a sense of urgency for this kind of work…” “Students will gain a more personal insight into the realities…of the struggle for democracy through an educational process they will remember for the rest of their lives.” “This project charges students with the task of preserving the legacy of their countries’ democratic struggles by interviewing the people who helped to advance…freedoms in their societies.” “The International Democracy Memory Bank is a worthy effort both to preserve…heritage and to foster civic education and involvement.” “The great political challenge today is consolidating existing democracies and forestalling the slide into authoritarianism…” “Never doubt that a small group of…citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever does.”

4. International Partner Organizations Northern Ireland: NASUWT Phillippines: PSLINK Poland: Solidarnosc COLOMBIA: FECODE Mongolia: FMESU South Africa: NAPTOSA Republic of Georgia: ESFTUG

5. Project Focus by Country Northern Ireland: The Troubles Phillippines: People Power Poland: Solidarity Movement COLOMBIA: Rule of Law Mongolia: Democratic Transition South Africa: Anti-Apartheid Republic of Georgia: Rose Revolution

6. Objectives Professional development programs Multilateral exchange visits to the United States Collaborative research by teachers and students to develop resources on civic engagement Outcomes Increased civic knowledge of teachers! Increased knowledge of core democratic concepts 3,450 oral histories from 8 countries will populate the Civic Voices website! 5 American Teaching Fellows and 5 Fellows from partner countries will participate in civics exchange visits. Goals of the Program: Improve teachers’ civic instruction

7. Objectives Students will identify and understand the 12 core concepts of democracy as outlined in the project. Students will participate in classroom lessons on the struggle for democracy and human rights in their country and elsewhere. Students will conduct community research to identify democratic activists and interview them in a structured oral history project. Outcomes Students will demonstrate, through pre- and post-tests of civic knowledge, an increased understanding of and commitment to core democratic principles. Also through pre- and post-tests, students will understand how individuals, events, and issues shape history and society. Goals of the Program: Enhance students’ civic knowledge through projects

8. Objectives www.civicvoices.org, the Civic Voices website, will be redesigned and expanded to accommodate the International Democracy Memory Bank. A teacher’s guide will be developed and translated for use in countries worldwide. The project will include comparative democracy teaching modules. Outreach will ensure the project expands to additional countries. Outcomes The International Democracy Memory Bank will include audio, video, and written transcripts of oral histories, searchable by country of origin and core democratic principle. An international team of teachers will synthesize the democracy teaching modules. Outreach: news coverage; international showcase in Washington, DC; presentations at international civic education conferences. Goals of the Program: Create an online democracy memory bank

9. Objectives FECODE and the other international partners will view their membership as resources for professional development and resources. Partner organizations will develop plans for the long-term utilization of Civic Voices products. “Recognition banquets” will highlight the importance of high-quality civic education projects. Outcomes FECODE will use existing communication and training methods to facilitate awareness of the project. Even after the grant ends, partner organizations will incorporate Civic Voices materials and trainers into membership activities. Key stakeholders will be invited to banquets celebrating the achievements of activists and the students who record their stories. Goals of the Program: Build capacity within partner organizations

10. Core Concepts of Democracy This collection of concepts was developed by Freedom House, a nonprofit organization that tracks the state of democratic development around the world. For more information, visit their classroom resource website: www.democracyweb.org. These concepts can be found in Handout 1.2a of the Teacher’s Guide. Consent of the Governed Rule of Law Majority Rule and Minority Rights Multi-party Systems Economic Freedom Free, Fair, and Regular Elections Freedom of Expression Constitutional Limits on the Power of Government Freedom of Religion Human Rights and Freedom from State Tyranny Freedom of Association Accountability and Transparency

11. Allows students to collect and learn first-hand about struggles for democracy. Uncovers parts of history otherwise unknown Appreciation for the role of the individual in shaping history. Humanizes perceptions of freedom and democratic government Develops valuable analytical skills. Develops valuable writing skills. Why Oral History in Civics?

12. Connection to Civic Education CIVIC KNOWLEDGE Concepts of Democracy Types of Civic Engagement Historical Context Global Comparisons Current Issues Human and local dimensions of civics and democracy

13. Connection to Civic Education Raising Public Awareness Spotlighting Injustice Organizing a Movement Gaining Allies PARTICIPATORY CIVIC SKILLS Dealing with Opponents Elements of Successful Advocacy What can YOU do?

14. Connection to Civic Education Framing Effective Questions Using primary sources COGNITIVE CIVIC SKILLS Applying key ideas Summarizing events Evaluating the Effectiveness of Engagement

15. Connection to Civic Education Commitment to the Common Good Inclination to Participate Appreciation of Role Models Empathy for the Less Fortunate Commitment to Human Rights CIVICDISPOSITIONS

16. Connection to Civic Education CIVIC KNOWLEDGE PARTICIPATORY CIVIC SKILLS CIVICDISPOSITIONS (Based on the work of Dr. John J. Patrick, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN USA) COMMON EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP COGNITIVE CIVIC SKILLS

17. Project Timeline: Year I Summer 2009 • Two-week Planning and Writing Workshop in Washington, DC Fall 2009 • Publication and translation of teacher’s guide • Introductory Seminars in partner countries! Spring 2010 • February: Multilateral Exchange Visits to U.S.; Civic Voices Launch Conference in Washington, DC • Competitive application process to select Teacher Fellows in each partner country • U.S. and partner country Fellows use the teacher’s guide to pilot the program in their classrooms • Civil Rights Seminar in Birmingham, Alabama

18. Debra LesserDirector, Justice Resource CenterDLesser@schools.nyc.govMaison RippeteauAssociate Director, Justice Resource CenterMRippet@schools.nyc.gov