Forum Network

Thinkers and practitioners from the worlds of research, policy, media and technology, politics, youth organizing, and schools discuss the causes and consequences of recent trends in youth civic engagement. The panel considers how youth can become further civically engaged and empowered.

As we enter a new era of civic opportunity, this is the ideal time to reflect on how young people's increasing civic awareness and involvement can be further nurtured and fostered. At the same time, we must also consider how the circle of civic engagement can be expanded to include those youth who currently remain disengaged and/or disempowered.

To these ends, Askwith Education Forum participants discuss such issues as who is involved (e.g. college-educated vs. other youth), how youth get involved (e.g. school vs. youth organizing vs. technology-mediated opportunities), and what the implications are for the future of youth civic empowerment.

Speakers include: Peter Levine, director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE); Joe Kahne, professor of education at Mills College; and Miriam Martinez, youth education council director for the Mikva Challenge.

Howard Gardner, professor of cognition and education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, introduces and moderates the forum.

This forum is co-sponsored with the Civic and Moral Education Initiative at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.