Harry Boyte, co-director of Augsburg College’s Center for Democracy Citizenship and Sabo Center, recently published the article “Civic Science — Renewing the link between science and democracy” on The Huffington Post. In the article, Boyte discusses work to strengthen the connection between science and democracy. Read the story online.
Practicing "I have a dream" and schools of citizenship
By Harry C. Boyte
Today, on Martin Luther King Jr.’s holiday, I’ve been thinking about the March on Washington and how much its citizenship message is relevant.
In the summer of 1963, my father, Harry George Boyte, went on staff of King’s organization, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. At his urging I hitchhiked across the country, arriving in Washington the day before, August 27, 1963, on my way to Duke as a freshman in the fall. I lay in a sleeping bag on the floor of his hotel room. Early in the morning, I heard King’s booming voice in a nearby room, practicing “I Have a Dream.” Continue reading “Practicing "I have a dream" and schools of citizenship”
Augsburg to lead nationwide American Commonwealth Project
The White House and U.S. Department of Education today will launch the American Commonwealth Project, a national grassroots effort to reclaim the civic mission of education. Augsburg is at the heart of this effort, and the project’s work will be coordinated by Harry Boyte, director of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship.
The ACP is rooted in the recognition that higher education should be—must be—delivered for the common good rather than be allowed to become an individual benefit only for those who an financially afford it. In addition, the project aligns with Augsburg’s mission to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. Continue reading “Augsburg to lead nationwide American Commonwealth Project”
Jane Addams School youth learn from neighborhood elders
Students from the Jane Addams School for Democracy, a program founded in part by staff from Augsburg’s Center for Democracy and Citizenship, have been organizing around issues in their neighborhood—the West Side of St. Paul—for many years. This past year, a group of teens took on the issue of racism, especially as it affects new immigrants in the community. In the process of meeting neighborhood elders and sharing a meal, the youth learned a surprising lesson.
With a grant from the Minnesota Historical Society’s Legacy Campaign, the students carried out an intergenerational project to produce a permanent piece of art at the Baker Community Center, home of the Jane Addams School. Continue reading “Jane Addams School youth learn from neighborhood elders”
Spreading the Minnesota Way—civic engagement and democratic hope
Minneapolis-St. Paul enjoys the highest civic health of any metropolitan area in the country, according to a report released on Monday by Augsburg’s Center for Democracy and Citizenship (CDC). People in the Twin Cities are the most engaged in their communities—they are more likely to volunteer, to participate in community activities, to vote, and to engage with their neighbors. This healthy civic behavior correlates with greater economic well-being and individual health and happiness. Continue reading “Spreading the Minnesota Way—civic engagement and democratic hope”
A Preamble Movement
Harry C. Boyte is the co-director of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at Augsburg College. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on organizing theory and practice at the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, and is in demand as a keynote speaker with faculty, students, and professionals.
Americans this election season are in an angry, anxious mood that defies easy labels. As Joel Klein describes in a Time cover story based on conversations across the country, “People told personal stories and made complicated arguments that didn’t fit neatly into their assigned political categories.” Continue reading “A Preamble Movement”
Meet Augsburg's CDC
No, Augsburg is not opening a research facility for the Centers for Disease Control.
Augsburg’s “CDC” is the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, a former affiliate of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. The Center moved to Augsburg last July when the partnership was approved the Board of Regents.
The Center for Democracy and Citizenship has two locations: one in the Baker Community Center on St. Paul’s West Side, and the other in the ADC Business Center on the corner of Riverside and 20th Avenues. The Center will host an open house on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 2-5 p.m. at their Riverside offices. Continue reading “Meet Augsburg's CDC”
Center for Democracy and Citizenship moves to Augsburg
Augsburg College announced Friday that Center for Democracy and Citizenship, an organization with a reputation across the globe for innovative thinking about public engagement, will become affiliated with the College, effective July 1, 2009.
The Executive Committee of the Augsburg College Board of Regents approved the move this morning. Led by co-directors Harry Boyte and Nan Skelton, the Center for Democracy and Citizenship has been part of the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
The Center for Democracy and Citizenship’s work is grounded in the belief that a healthy democracy requires everyone’s participation, and that each of us has something to contribute. This work builds on a long tradition of people of all ages working together for the common good. Continue reading “Center for Democracy and Citizenship moves to Augsburg”