Civic engagement is the foundation of Democracy. When we learn, we engage. When we
engage, we vote and participate. When we participate, we both drive and protect our
Democracy. We hold our government accountable.
“Why do we care that governments should rest on the consent of each and
every one of us? Being human involves seeking to control one’s life.
Achieving that requires having a role in politics because political decisions
have such a big impact on our life. The idea of human rights captures the
notion that every human being ought to have a chance to control his or
her own life, including through political participation.”
We all have a responsibility to teach the next generation to be thoughtful and curious about our
systems of government. As U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said, “The
practice of democracy is not passed down through the gene pool. It must be taught and learned
by each new generation.
