News Archives - 2012

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.

Today's kickoff includes a series of public forums will be live-streamed by the White House from Washington, D.C. To tune in, go to www.WhiteHouse.gov/live.

Augsburg is in the early stages of developing specifically what this project means in practical terms to the College, identifying initiatives and projects that will build civic identity, foster co- creation of learning, develop student leaders, promote the framework for the College to serve as an anchor institution, and create a campus culture closely in tune with the current landscape to ensure that what we do every day creates and supports civic engagement.

You can learn more about this important project in a number of ways:

--Tune in to the live-stream today at 2 p.m. www.WhiteHouse.gov/live

--Download a Discussion Guide, and consider hosting a conversation in class, over coffee, or in your residence hall. http://thedemocracycommitment.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/for-democracys-future-discussion-guide.docx

--Learn more by checking out the DemocracyU blog http://democracyu.wordpress.com/

--"Like" DemocracyU on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DemocracyU

--Sign up for DemocracyU email alerts at http://www.civicyouth.org/democracyu/