Beyond Civics (BC)
Beyond Civics is a 10-week leadership development program that trains teens to become Bridgers: leaders who solve problems and engage across divides in service of strengthening their communities.
The Challenge
In a thriving democracy, active participation is essential – but often, this is reduced to voting. Equally vital is community engagement: participation in local initiatives that enhance quality of life and deepen social connections. Surprisingly, only 32% of Gen Z view civic engagement as a combination of both electoral and community involvement—about half the rate of their parents and grandparents (2021 AEI report from PACE research). The result is that Gen Z is tending toward extremes, with some becoming increasingly polarized while others are opting out of civic engagement altogether (Psychology Today).
Our Solution
Beyond Civics engages teens in civic life while mitigating polarization by training them to be bridgers: community leaders who uphold principles of pluralism.
Our 10-week program draws on research from the fields of peacekeeping, conflict mediation, and community organizing. And, it’s not a textbook approach to civics -- instead, it's a hands-on, learner-driven program where students design a Community Action Initiative that leverages principles of bridge-building to solve a real-life problem.
How it Works
Once you have decided to partner with Move for America, we will:
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Establish a schedule
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Develop a recruitment strategy
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Provide a trained facilitator who will travel to your location to lead sessions /or/
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Train and compensate a member of your team to lead sessions
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Provide all curriculum and materials necessary for full implementation
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Conduct an impact analysis at the program’s conclusion