Citizenship Education Program The Dorothy Cotton Institute Citizenship Education Program Building Global Community for Human Rights Leadership Dorothy Cotton Institute 2011

The Citizenship Education Program (CEP) The best kept secret of the Civil Rights Movement A critical component of the Movements overall organizing strategy Played a foundational role helping disenfranchised people: – recognize their own capacity, intelligence and power – transform themselves from a stance of victims to full citizens The best kept secret of the Civil Rights Movement A critical component of the Movements overall organizing strategy Played a foundational role helping disenfranchised people: – recognize their own capacity, intelligence and power – transform themselves from a stance of victims to full citizens Dorothy Cotton Institute 2011

recognition that human rights are being denied learning that our rights are codified in treaties and laws connection with others who care about justice sharing "how things are" & "how things ought to be " healing from oppression, regaining self-esteem & personal power inspired to action to secure rights for self and others Share Stories & Aspirations for Transformation Our Theory of Change Learn about Civil & Human Rights Join a Learning Community of Peers Share Strategies & Mutual Support Dorothy Cotton Institute 2011 Build Beloved Community Share Stories & Aspirations for Transformation Take Action, Leadership, & Inspire Others

Levels of Transformation PERSONAL Move from the role of victim to agency in ones life INTERPERSONAL Practice non-violence to build a Beloved Community, where all are treated with love, compassion and respect, and our humanity and dignity is affirmed. COMMUNAL Build our communitys capacity to work for social justice. INSTITUTIONAL Take collective action to transform institutions, policies and laws. Dorothy Cotton Institute 2011

Citizenship Education Program Outline Build community and the moral case for change See how the status quo is maintained Understand that we have rights Build community and the moral case for change See how the status quo is maintained Understand that we have rights Create a vision for change Prepare for leadership & effective action Offer ongoing support and movement building Create a vision for change Prepare for leadership & effective action Offer ongoing support and movement building Dorothy Cotton Institute 2011

CEP Core Educational Principles Affirming human dignity and strengths Learning in and through collective action Living democracy in classrooms and programs Affirming human dignity and strengths Learning in and through collective action Living democracy in classrooms and programs Dorothy Cotton Institute 2011

Support schoolcommunity teams Connect people & networks Share learning, challenges & success Share resources & strategies for engagement Generate ideas for: Building democratic classrooms & programs Innovative school – community partnerships Support schoolcommunity teams Connect people & networks Share learning, challenges & success Share resources & strategies for engagement Generate ideas for: Building democratic classrooms & programs Innovative school – community partnerships Document: Impact on students, teachers, parents, community, etc. What is working best, how and why? Build knowledge base Build Leadership Encourage movement- building Document: Impact on students, teachers, parents, community, etc. What is working best, how and why? Build knowledge base Build Leadership Encourage movement- building Dorothy Cotton Institute 2011