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Creation Date

11-2024

Description

"The Role of Civic Engagement in Developing Effective Educators and Community Leaders." This presentation focuses on the importance of civic engagement and community for future roles as educators, planners, and leaders for two main reasons. First, I see this as crucial for students studying to work with populations that may feel disengaged or lack motivation. Second, I wanted students to understand how experiences abroad can deepen their connection to local communities, transforming their future educational practices. The TED Talk "3,000-Year-Old Solutions to Modern Day Problems" served as the foundation of my presentation, demonstrating how ancient societies practiced community-centered living and the relevance of these approaches to today’s civic challenges. (Shah, 2019). Through this talk, students were prompted to think about what ancient practices they might carry forward into their own careers and lives in general.

Furthermore, my presentation connects these practices with the transformative potential of study abroad experiences, using an ecotourism trip to Hawaii as a case study. This immersive experience highlights how civic engagement abroad cultivates a deeper understanding of regenerative practices and environmental stewardship, which can then be integrated into educational contexts at home. Research shows that ecotourism, “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education,” can inspire transformative change, encouraging travelers to bring community-minded, sustainable practices back home. (TIES, 2015). The worksheet I provided facilitated personal reflection, asking students to identify accomplishments, consider their leadership qualities, and address the role they can play in change. The purpose of this topic was to build an understanding of civic engagement that not only enriches community but also instills empathy, responsibility, and purpose for students who will work with diverse populations in the future.

Keywords

Undergraduates, college life, ecotourism, civic engagement

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