Public Achievement

Comment

Comment by Bibi Hudaykuliyeva on April 21, 2009 at 4:13pm

Dear members of Public Achievement network,

Deeply thanks for the completed questionnaire that we received from Palestine and Colorado. It really very interesting to read all your answers that give me clear picture of the Public Achievement work that you are engaged in your country. It is a great experience and great learning that should be shared.

On April 16 I I had opportunity to visit the the St. Bernards school to see Public Achievement in action. It was really very interesting visit where I learned a lot from organized by youth project activities. One of students on our question what they will take in adult life from the Public Achievement participation experience replied us that when she will grow up she will respect to young people because they can make a difference for a better life. This believing in personal power to make positive changes in the community one of the most important contributions of Public Achievement in kids' education and citizenship life.

I know for sure that each of you have interesting thoughts and ideas in regards with your Public Achievement experience Want to encourage you all, please share with your experience through completing our questionnaire for Public Achievement. Thank you in advance.

Comment by Kim Carter on April 11, 2009 at 3:38pm

Does anyone have a job description for a PA program director, organizer, coordinator they would be willing to share?

Comment by Paul Smyth on April 9, 2009 at 6:00pm

I have to agree with your conclusions there Jim. One of the finest youth run projects I have seen anywhere in the world, is the wonderful Bush Radio in Cape Town, South Africa. They are a community radio station broadcasting 24/7 to the Cape Flats - the sprawling townships around the city - very poor communities living in desolate conditions. The station also acts as an education tool, campaigning vehicle and aid agency. You can listen in to the programmes on their web-stream on their website - worth it for the wonderful music alone! Zane Ibrahim the founder, taught me about having youth projects that don't look like youth projects! Young people doing real work in the world addressing real world issues skillfully and with social purpose.

Comment by Jim Lewis on April 9, 2009 at 4:47pm

Thanks for the response Kira. I am definitely going to learn more about Dream City Vision. Bring on the flying cars and segways! I have been looking at some of the Horizon Projects (leadership development program for small towns). There are projects in seven states with support from the Northwest Area Foundation. Some of the projects have made extensive use of Study Circles and have been intentional about involving young people as part of a community wide process to identify issues, concerns and then strategies to address those issues/concerns. I am beginning to think the most important part of any process is being intentional and serious about wanting authentic youth involvement and youth voice and then taking care in how the invitation is extended.

Comment by Kira Pasquesi on April 9, 2009 at 3:31pm

Looks like my hyperlinks did not work in the last one...

Dream City 2020: http://www.dreamcity2020.com/

Everyday Democracy: http://www.everyday-democracy.org/en/Issue.5.aspx

Comment by Kira Pasquesi on April 9, 2009 at 3:30pm

This is a response to Jim's comment about neighborhood organizing/book clubs for youth. I have worked with a local consultant in Colorado from Everyday Democracy, formerly the Study Circle Resource Center, on neighborhood dialogues on immigration issues. Their website also has examples and guides for promoting youth voice through dialogue. The center has a plethora of resources and they have consultants across the county ready to assist and teach the study circles method. There is also a project called Let Us Rise with a similar focus, but I know less about their philosophy and background.



In Colorado Springs, CO we are currently working on a grassroots visioning effort for the Pikes Peak Region. It is called Dream City Vision 2020 and has engaged thousands of citizens in dialogue about their dreams for this community. As a neutral facilitator, I have the privilege hearing these visions from a variety of citizens and it has greatly altered my perspective and investment in this city. Some of the most intriguing comments are coming from K-12 students too! Although, the middle schoolers believe 2020 will be the space age with flying cars and segways.

Comment by Paul Smyth on April 9, 2009 at 3:37am

Sarah's comments about the school as a 'beacon of hope' remind me that former US President Bill Clinton used that phrase to describe Northern Ireland in the aftermath of the 1998 'Good Friday (Peace) Agreement'. In terms of parts of the 'PA World' we have tried to live up to that label by linking those working with young people in a range of conflicted and post-conflict societies. We have done this largely through a project called Youth Work in Contested Spaces - and we have set up a NING group (the same technology that is behind this site) for the members of that network. People might enjoy that network which is open. Check out Contested Spaces on NING.

Some of you may have noticed that we have had a most unwelcome return to aspects of our conflicted past recently in Northern Ireland with the killing of two young soldiers and a policeman by so-called 'dissident' groups. These groups are preying on socially marginalised and vulnerable young people - who have no living memory of the conflict, but are being drawn into these groups. I feel it is a vital part of the work of the PA around the world to challenge cultures of violence and despair - and hope that in small ways we can all be beacons of hope for the young people and fellow citizens in our lives.

Comment by Ellen Tveit on April 8, 2009 at 4:39pm

Hello everyone!
My name is Ellen Tveit and I'm the communications coordinator for the Center for Democracy and Citizenship. Up to now I've been quietly reading and appreciating your posts (aka lurking), and thinking about the potential for rich and useful conversations across PA groups.

That said, your stories and reflections on public work should reach a broader audience than just those who are part of this online group or who are already involved in PA. The Center for Democracy and Citizenship will periodically blog about this group on By the People (http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cdc/bythepeople/) -- check out the posts already there under the Public Achievement tag!
Ellen

Comment by Dennis Donovan on April 8, 2009 at 4:29pm

Thanks for the terrific update Sarah and keep up the great work.

Dennis

Comment by Sarah Rauenhorst on April 7, 2009 at 11:35am

Hello from Denver! My name is Sarah Rauenhorst at the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning at the University of Denver (DU). Along with Frank Coyne we are coordinating DU's PA efforts all over Denver. I'm really excited about this blog and I think it's going to be a great way for us to tell our stories and see how PA is reaching across the world.

Here in Denver coaches are encouraging and inspiring their co-coaches to "OWN IT" throughout the last few weeks of PA as their projects begin to take shape, but also remember the process and successes the teams have accomplished to get to where they are today.

After expanding from four sites last year, the 2008-2009 school year has brought our PA programs to a total of seven schools. It has been a long road since we started PA at Cole Middle School six years ago and we have learned many lessons, but one lesson remains constant-given the opportunity, young people can do extraordinary things and can work to make change when they are faced with an issue that they care deeply about. This year, have over 20 PA teams working on a variety of issues with 34 coaches, and 255 K-12 students working together to make change towards an issue that they care deeply about.

To give you a glimpse into one of our schools, PA at North High School has taken on a personal plea. North has never been the gem of Denver Public Schools, and students and coaches know this. Because all of the coaches working there are graduates of North High School, this became personal to them early on. They know the cards are stacked against the kids at North High. They know parents aren’t involved like they are in other schools, they know students aren’t given the same opportunities as they are in other schools, and they know that the media does not portray North in a positive light. With the help of PA coaches, who (as graduates) are more invested than your average team, PA has partnered with the Ethics Club to combat parent and community involvement. Their first action as a PA team was to host a Saturday workshop series, called “Tools to Succeed.” This event took place this winter and the goal was to bring North families and community stakeholders together to provide workshops to family and students on how to get to college and how to take advantage of opportunities within the North community. It was a tremendous success. The group is now looking to top this event with one for parents and students at the end of the year as culminating event that will leave a positive legacy as they literally get set to tear down a portion of the building in an effort to improve the school. It’s not an easy task, but in a school that struggles to find hope, PA provides a beacon of hope for the school and the community.

Looking forward to being connected with everyone and sharing our stories!

Sarah

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