Youth Inaugural Blog
What is Civic Engagement?
"Civic engagement is about using your voice, talents and skills to help shape the course of your life, and the lives of those around you. It is about understanding that we are all dependent upon and responsible for ourselves and one another in an ever widening circle of communities that often begins with family and friends and radiates further to include one’s school, town, state, country and eventually, the world." - Governor Deval Patrick, January 4th, 2007
Discussion Topic #1
Why do you get involved in projects and programs in your community? What motivates you? And if you haven’t yet been involved, why not? Are there are obstacles to you and other young people getting involved? What are they?
Discussion Topic #2
Tell me about a project or a program you know about that young people are involved in and that is making a difference in the community. What makes it work?
Discussion Topic #3
What do you – as individuals or as members of the Commonwealth’s youth community – have to contribute to move Massachusetts forward, to make life better for the people who live in our state? What is one thing I could do as Governor to make it easier for your voice to be heard; for your energy to be tapped?