Lesson 5: Community Engagement, Solidarity, and Citizenship

Objectives

• Understand the importance of community action and its impact on citizens and society.
• Identify the components and dynamics of community action.

Activity: Identify the Statements

1. Partnership between academic institutions and local communities for mutual benefits
   Answer: D. Community Engagement
2. Membership of a citizen in a political society
   Answer: A. Citizenship
3. Regarding fellow human beings with respect and justification
   Answer: B. Solidarity
4. Collective grasp and ownership of a situation affecting the community
   Answer: C. Community Actions

Community Actions

• Definition: Collective grasp and ownership of a situation impacting a community.
• Importance: Citizens must actively engage in community actions to build their nation and identity.
• Connection: Individuals experiencing similar situations unite to pursue common goals.

Ingredients of Community Action

1. Common Context:
   • Shared vision and skills among community members.
2. Common Experience:
   • Similar sentiments and experiences in addressing social issues.
3. Common Understanding:
   • Similar views on issues, such as health or waste management.
4. Common Analysis:
   • Analyzing issues from various perspectives, balancing emotion and data.
5. Unacceptable Standards:
   • Setting minimum standards and compromises within the group to move forward.

Mobilization and Organization

• Mobilizing the Community:
  • Gathering members, identifying leaders, and discussing projects.
• Organization:
  • Mapping out all resources and processes necessary for action.
  • Identify strengths and weaknesses to ensure systematic execution.

Education and Skill Enhancement

• Importance of education beyond books, including skills for public speaking and interpersonal communication.
• Understanding the community and its needs through research.

Challenges in Community Action

• Diversity of views and experiences can hinder collective action.
• Need for agents of communities to facilitate processes and build organizations.

Qualities of Community Leaders

1. Knowledgeable about the issues.
2. Ability to analyze from different perspectives.
3. Understanding community structures and systems.
4. Knowing relevant community players and actors.
5. Capability to read and adjust to people’s emotions.

Forms of Community Action

1. Community Engagement:
   • Active collaboration that improves community quality of life.
2. Citizenship:
   • Allegiance and mutual relationship with the political entity.
3. Solidarity:
   • Deeper understanding and respect for fellow humans, rooted in equality and equity.

Student Tasks

1. Assess your awareness and understanding of community action, forms, and dynamics.
2. Write a short essay analyzing community action structures and processes, with implications for global citizenship (5 sentences minimum).
   • Consider community policies regarding the current situation, such as education or health.

Conclusion

• Engage actively with your community to understand and participate in current actions.
• Prepare for the next lesson.
• Thank you and good day!