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Learning To Vote: Informing Political Participation Among College Students, Suzanne Pritzker, Melanie J. Springer, Amanda Moore Mcbride
Learning To Vote: Informing Political Participation Among College Students, Suzanne Pritzker, Melanie J. Springer, Amanda Moore Mcbride
Center for Social Development Research
To inform universities’ capacity to encourage student political participation, we examine associations between four civic influences—civic instruction, deliberative course-based discussion, community service, and service learning—and youth participation during the 2008 presidential election. These four influences were selected because they are commonly integrated into higher education environments. Using an original survey, we employ a broad definition of political behavior to explore ways college students express themselves politically and to examine potential influences on their participation. We hypothesize that students exposed to civic influences are more likely to vote and engage in other participatory activities than those who lack such exposure. Findings …
Volunteerism For Peace In East Africa, Benjamin Lough, Jacob Mwathi Mati
Volunteerism For Peace In East Africa, Benjamin Lough, Jacob Mwathi Mati
Center for Social Development Research
Volunteering is central to any community-centered development intervention. As such, volunteers can contribute substantially to establishing and preserving peace. This paper describes various interpersonal, intergroup, and institutional theoretical perspectives to explain why volunteerism is particularly suited to peacemaking and peacekeeping. Special consideration is given to how involving young volunteers may be highly beneficial to peacemaking and peacekeeping. The paper emphasizes the “added value” of utilizing volunteers in peace and development organizations, and provides specific examples from the Eastern African region that illustrate how volunteerism is being used to prevent conflict, to mediate and transform active conflict, and to reduce the …
Civic Service And Asset Building In Generating Livelihoods Among Youth In Africa, Benjamin J. Lough, Margaret S. Sherraden
Civic Service And Asset Building In Generating Livelihoods Among Youth In Africa, Benjamin J. Lough, Margaret S. Sherraden
Center for Social Development Research
Given high rates of unemployment among African youth, civic service offers a promising strategy for preparing young people for the labor market. Despite its potential, a lack of service opportunities, incentives, and competing livelihood needs, frequently prevent young people from volunteering. This paper reviews the debate on financial remuneration for volunteering, and describes innovative “hybrid” ways to incentivize and support young volunteers. These approaches offer the potential to build financial assets during service in the form of savings, stipends, and microenterprise credit or education awards. This paper highlights programs in several regions of Africa where similar approaches have been piloted. …