Innovations in Civic Participation

Innovations in Civic Participation (ICP) is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports the development of youth civic engagement policies and programs both in the US and around the world.[1]. ICP’s mission is to facilitate the generation of opportunities for young people to improve their communities and build essential skills for future success through civic engagement. ICP envisions a world where young people in every nation are actively engaged in improving their lives and their communities through civic participation. We believe that well-structured youth service programs can provide innovative solutions to social and environmental issues, while helping young people develop skills for future employment and active citizenship.

ICP carries out its mission through five main activities:

  1. Incubating innovative models for youth service programs
  2. Creating and expanding global networks
  3. Consulting with governments, multi-lateral organizations, and other clients on designing civic engagement policies and programs, trainings and evaluations
  4. Conducting research and publicizing information on youth civic engagement, especially national youth service and service-learning
  5. Serving as a financial intermediary to support program innovation and policy development

Projects

Some ICP projects since 2001 include:

Global Networks

International Association for National Youth Service (IANYS)

In 2007, ICP became the permanent secretariat for the International Association for National Youth Service (IANYS), a global network of professionals working in the youth civic engagement and youth development fields, with a particular focus on national service and service-learning.

Talloires Network

In 2005, ICP co-founded Talloires Network, an international consortium of higher education institutions committed to serving and strengthening the societies of which they are a part with Tufts University. Network members agree to promote the civic roles and social responsibilities of their institutions as well as to deepen engagement with local and global communities. ICP served as the secretariat of the Talloires Network from its founding until 2011 when it moved to Tufts University.

National Coalition for Academic Service-Learning (NCASL)

In August 2009, ICP became the home of the State Education Agency K-12 Service-Learning Network (SEANet), now renamed the National Coalition for Academic Service-Learning (NCASL). The network advances high quality academic service learning in K-12 schools.

Association for the Promotion of Education and Civic Engagement (PEACE)

In 2009, ICP guided a visionary group of university deans in developing a network, the Association for the Promotion of Education and Civic Engagement (PEACE), to engage universities in improving the quality of local education. In this role, ICP planned development sessions, assisted in drafting a strategic plan, learned from related networks, and helped the Deans conduct an inventory of civic engagement initiatives on their campuses. This project was funded by membership from the universities and Schools of Education that participated. PEACE is no longer an active network.

Founding Director

ICP was founded in 2001 by Susan Elizabeth Stroud through a multi-year grant from the Ford Foundation.[2] Stroud was also the founding director of Campus Compact, a national coalition of university presidents, and the Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown University. She worked in the Clinton White House on crafting the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 and the creation of the AmeriCorps program. Stroud remains the Executive Director of ICP.[3] Innovations in Civic Participation facilitates the "Summer of Service" youth service program, implemented by organizations around the country, including the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department.[4]

References

  1. "Innovations in Civic Participation." June 2012. [1].
  2. "Ford Foundation Grants." 2008. [2].
  3. "Susan Stroud." April 2008. Global University Network for Innovation.
  4. "Seattle Parks and Rec Teen Programs." May 2012. [4]

External links

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