The Dorothy Cotton InstituteCitizenship Education ProgramCitizenship 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 Movement’s 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 Transformatio

n

Our Theory of Change

Learn about Civil & Human

Rights

Join a Learning

Community of Peers

Share Strategies &

Mutual Support

Dorothy Cotton Institute 2011

Share Stories & Aspirations for Transformatio

n

Take Action, Leadership, & Inspire Others

Levels of Transformation

PERSONAL•Move from the role of “victim” to “agency” in one’s 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.

COMMUNALBuild our community’s capacity to work for social justice.

INSTITUTIONAL•Take collective action to transform institutions, policies and laws.

Dorothy Cotton Institute 2011

Citizenship Education Program OutlineCitizenship Education Program Outline

• 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

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

Dorothy Cotton Institute 2011

Support school—community 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

Dorothy Cotton Institute 2011