1. Debra Lesser Maison Rippeteau Justice Resource Center, New York City

2. Overview of the Project Program Partners American Federation of Teachers American Federation of Teachers Senior and expert Advisors Senior and expert Advisors Teacher Advisors Teacher Advisors Independent Evaluator Independent Evaluator Domestic (United States) Partners Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Freedom House Freedom House

3. Project Rationale and Significance “The great political challenge today is consolidating existing democracies and forestalling the slide into authoritarianism…” “The project endeavors to reinforce theoretical understanding of the value of civic engagement through the compelling lens of personal narratives.” “There is a sense of urgency for this kind of work…” “Never doubt that a small group of…citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever does.” “Democracy depends on civic engagement…” “The International Democracy Memory Bank is a worthy effort both to preserve…heritage and to foster civic education and involvement.” “Students will gain a more personal insight into the realities…of the struggle for democracy through an educational process they will remember for the rest of their lives.” “Oral history projects bring history alive.” “This project charges students with the task of preserving the legacy of their countries’ democratic struggles by interviewing the people who helped to advance…freedoms in their societies.” “Teaching young citizens the tools of civic engagement…is necessary to better society.” “The power of a firsthand account can be an invaluable learning supplement that lends texture, color, drama, and emotion to events…”

4. International Partner Organizations Mongolia: FMESU Northern Ireland: NASUWT Phillippines: PSLINK Republic of Georgia: ESFTUG Poland: Solidarnosc South Africa: NAPTOSA COLOMBIA: FECODE

5. Project Focus by Country Mongolia: Democratic Transition Northern Ireland: The Troubles Phillippines: People Power Republic of Georgia: Rose Revolution Poland: Solidarity Movement South Africa: Anti-Apartheid COLOMBIA: Rule of Law

6. Goals of the Program: Improve teachers’ civic instruction Objectives Professional development programs Professional development programs Multilateral exchange visits to the United States Multilateral exchange visits to the United States Collaborative research by teachers and students to develop resources on civic engagement Collaborative research by teachers and students to develop resources on civic engagement Outcomes Increased civic knowledge of teachers! Increased knowledge of core democratic concepts 3,450 oral histories from 8 countries will populate the Civic Voices website! 5 American Teaching Fellows and 5 Fellows from partner countries will participate in civics exchange visits.

7. Goals of the Program: Enhance students’ civic knowledge through projects Objectives Students will identify and understand the 12 core concepts of democracy as outlined in the project. Students will identify and understand the 12 core concepts of democracy as outlined in the project. Students will participate in classroom lessons on the struggle for democracy and human rights in their country and elsewhere. Students will participate in classroom lessons on the struggle for democracy and human rights in their country and elsewhere. Students will conduct community research to identify democratic activists and interview them in a structured oral history project. Students will conduct community research to identify democratic activists and interview them in a structured oral history project. Outcomes Students will demonstrate, through pre- and post-tests of civic knowledge, an increased understanding of and commitment to core democratic principles. Also through pre- and post-tests, students will understand how individuals, events, and issues shape history and society.

8. Goals of the Program: Create an online democracy memory bank Objectives www.civicvoices.org, the Civic Voices website, will be redesigned and expanded to accommodate the International Democracy Memory Bank. www.civicvoices.org, the Civic Voices website, will be redesigned and expanded to accommodate the International Democracy Memory Bank. www.civicvoices.org A teacher’s guide will be developed and translated for use in countries worldwide. A teacher’s guide will be developed and translated for use in countries worldwide. The project will include comparative democracy teaching modules. The project will include comparative democracy teaching modules. Outreach will ensure the project expands to additional countries. Outreach will ensure the project expands to additional countries. Outcomes The International Democracy Memory Bank will include audio, video, and written transcripts of oral histories, searchable by country of origin and core democratic principle. An international team of teachers will synthesize the democracy teaching modules. Outreach: news coverage; international showcase in Washington, DC; presentations at international civic education conferences.

9. Goals of the Program: Build capacity within partner organizations Objectives FECODE and the other international partners will view their membership as resources for professional development and resources. FECODE and the other international partners will view their membership as resources for professional development and resources. Partner organizations will develop plans for the long-term utilization of Civic Voices products. Partner organizations will develop plans for the long-term utilization of Civic Voices products. “Recognition banquets” will highlight the importance of high-quality civic education projects. “Recognition banquets” will highlight the importance of high-quality civic education projects. Outcomes FECODE will use existing communication and training methods to facilitate awareness of the project. Even after the grant ends, partner organizations will incorporate Civic Voices materials and trainers into membership activities. Key stakeholders will be invited to banquets celebrating the achievements of activists and the students who record their stories.

10. Core Concepts of Democracy This collection of concepts was developed by Freedom House, a nonprofit organization that tracks the state of democratic development around the world. For more information, visit their classroom resource website: www.democracyweb.orgwww.democracyweb.org. These concepts can be found in Handout 1.2a of the Teacher’s Guide. Consent of the Governed Free, Fair, and Regular Elections Constitutional Limits on the Power of Government Majority Rule and Minority Rights Accountability and Transparency Economic Freedom Multi-party Systems Rule of Law Human Rights and Freedom from State Tyranny Freedom of Expression Freedom of Association Freedom of Religion

11. Allows students to collect and learn first-hand about struggles for democracy. Allows students to collect and learn first-hand about struggles for democracy. Uncovers parts of history otherwise unknown Uncovers parts of history otherwise unknown Appreciation for the role of the individual in shaping history. Appreciation for the role of the individual in shaping history. Humanizes perceptions of freedom and democratic government Humanizes perceptions of freedom and democratic government Develops valuable analytical skills. Develops valuable analytical skills. Develops valuable writing skills. Develops valuable writing skills. Why Oral History in Civics?

12. Connection to Civic Education CIVIC KNOWLEDGE Concepts of Democracy Types of Civic Engagement Historical Context Global Comparisons Current Issues Human and local dimensions of civics and democracy

13. Connection to Civic Education PARTICIPATORY CIVIC SKILLS Raising Public Awareness Spotlighting Injustice Organizing a Movement Gaining Allies Dealing with Opponents Elements of Successful Advocacy What can YOU do?

14. Connection to Civic Education COGNITIVE CIVIC SKILLS Framing Effective Questions Using primary sources Summarizing events Applying key ideas Evaluating the Effectiveness of Engagement

15. Connection to Civic Education CIVIC DISPOSITIONS Commitment to the Common Good Inclination to Participate Appreciation of Role Models Empathy for the Less Fortunate Commitment to Human Rights

16. Connection to Civic Education CIVIC KNOWLEDGE COGNITIVE CIVIC SKILLS COMMON EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP CIVIC DISPOSITIONS PARTICIPATORY CIVIC SKILLS (Based on the work of Dr. John J. Patrick, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN USA)

17. Project Timeline: Year I Summer 2009 Two-week Planning and Writing Workshop in Washington, DC Two-week Planning and Writing Workshop in Washington, DC Fall 2009 Publication and translation of teacher’s guide Publication and translation of teacher’s guide Introductory Seminars in partner countries! Introductory Seminars in partner countries! Spring 2010 February: Multilateral Exchange Visits to U.S.; Civic Voices Launch Conference in Washington, DC February: Multilateral Exchange Visits to U.S.; Civic Voices Launch Conference in Washington, DC Competitive application process to select Teacher Fellows in each partner country Competitive application process to select Teacher Fellows in each partner country U.S. and partner country Fellows use the teacher’s guide to pilot the program in their classrooms U.S. and partner country Fellows use the teacher’s guide to pilot the program in their classrooms Civil Rights Seminar in Birmingham, Alabama Civil Rights Seminar in Birmingham, Alabama

18. Debra Lesser Director, Justice Resource Center DLesser@schools.nyc.gov Maison Rippeteau Associate Director, Justice Resource Center MRippet@schools.nyc.gov DLesser@schools.nyc.gov MRippet@schools.nyc.gov DLesser@schools.nyc.gov MRippet@schools.nyc.gov