Civic engagement is an individual and collective action designed to identify and address issues of public concern. Also, it refers to the process of participating in the community’s political, social, and religious life of a nation and international extent. This engagement further leads towards democracy, which is a broader term, intentionally or unintentionally people of civilized world are all participating in this engagement. It is a duty which is not officially assigned, yet the community is performing it directly or indirectly.
The broader term frames many activities aimed at elevating community life in fostering a sense of amenability or answerability among the residents of any community society or a country.
The activities include:
voting,
Volunteering,
engagement or engaging in local government,
joining propagation or urging groups,
social cohesion
- Voting: is a fundamental aspect right of civic engagement it influences government policies plans and leadership through voting people express their priorities and preferences for the candidature and issues that align with their interest and values however civic engagement extends beyond just voting. It involves staying aware and in informed about political and social issues as in today’s world no one can stay ignorant or naive about their obligations and responsibilities. Participation in any social gathering of any extent is a must behavior of any civilized nation, it can be a simple discussion protest strike or a campaign.
- Volunteering: is another component of civic engagement, it is by volunteering their time and energy skills every individual plays a role in contributing for a well-being of their communities at a low level, cleaning the public places like play areas, parks, hospitals. The act of volunteering mostly takes place in modern and develops communities or nation and it also takes place at a time of any catastrophe (natural or unnatural) or disaster with special reference to flood earthquakes and the likes volunteering further promoted the connection and trust among the community members, yet it occurs frequently in a community which has a strong history of social and cultural values.
- Active participation in local government, this is attending meetings, town /district, level, or more advanced meetings.
Community groups like membership of any social group like sports clubs library Public Library membership neighborhood councils associations which normally worked for the betterment of any community for example metaling roads, constructing sideways sewage system, provision of power supply etc. By involving in these activities individuals can directly influence decision making process which can have a good or bad influence or effect. They can voice, propose, and hold public officials accountable and answerable.
- Advocacy: is a significant and a strong form of civic engagement. It is prominent feature of many of the countries of the world which has a strong democracy system, where anyone can raise their voice against the odds irrespective of caste and creed. A variety of perspectives are heard it promote a sense of community and shared responsibilities which encourages individuals to collaborate for common goals, for example raising voices from different corners of the world for the people of Gaza, clean water/drinking water.
It raises voice against illegal hunting, cutting of trees, and clean and green environment, as a basic human right.
Civic engagement is a prerequisite for communities all over the world it includes a variety of activities that empower individuals as well as communities to put a positive and a good impact which further influences their living.
Social Cohesion: Civic engagement fosters social cohesion as it strengthens the sense of solidarity among the members of society which further broadens the vision at individual and at community level. Civic engagement creates and nurture compensation in any community, society, and or a country.
Hemayle Afridi
Student of Ms peace and Conflict Studies at NUST
From Khyber district