Social Justice and Civic Engagement

Students of Strategic Communication, Public Relations, and Advertising at Sacred Heart University (SHU), in the USA, plan and carry out campaigns and actions related to critical social justice issues and environmental awareness. Each semester, the initiative focuses on a different theme, ranging from promoting democratic engagement and financial literacy to enhancing cultural inclusion and addressing the current societal challenges and community needs. This initiative not only prepares students for professional success but also molds them into engaged, knowledgeable citizens ready to contribute to a more just and humane world.

 

From: 2021 (January)

Continues

 

Context: The Initiative addresses several pressing social, environmental, and community issues such as social justice and inclusion, financial literacy, and civic engagement.

 

Solidarity action:  Empowerment through education, civic participation and engagement, community collaboration and partnership and development of professional skills

Learning: The initiative integrates academic rigor with community engagement while students apply theories, develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, a strong sense of civic responsibility and ethical engagement, and hone collaborative and reflective practice.

 

Direct beneficiaries of the solidarity action: Adolescents, youth, adults. About 2500 individuals were the primary beneficiaries, including students, faculty, and staff; local community residents of Fairfield, Connecticut, and surrounding areas; marginalized groups: black, indigenous, latinx, LGBTQ+, and other historically marginalized populations.

 

Type of service: Mixed/hybrid form

 

Main activities carried out by students: Addressing crises through interdisciplinary education, reimagining Public Relations campaign courses; using communication activism pedagogy to address anti-blackness.

 

Number of weekly hours that students dedicate to the project: 3 hours per week during the entire academic year

 

Mandatory nature: It’s mandatory for some students but voluntary for others

 

A. Students: Students developed essential skills in political advocacy, event planning, and public speaking. They learned to create and implement communication strategies that motivate and inform young voters. Key learnings included understanding the significance of civic participation in a democracy, the power of strategic communication in influencing voter behaviour, and the importance of addressing barriers to voting. Personal growth was evident as students reported increased confidence in their ability to engage in political discourse, a heightened sense of civic duty, and a deeper commitment to promoting democratic values. Through this initiative, students not only enhanced their professional skills but also developed a stronger awareness of their role as active citizens in shaping the future of their communities.

B. Community: Increased community engagement, enhanced social awareness and empowered marginalized groups. Overall, initiative had positive impact on both the SHU community and the surrounding localities. Its structured approach and targeted themes have facilitated meaningful change, empowering individuals and fostering a more informed and inclusive society.