Developing civically engaged leaders
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EmailMSU Extension is helping to develop youth as current and future leaders by providing programs that instill young people with knowledge and skills to become positive agents of change.
In today’s globally connected world, youth face a number of challenges that will affect their families, communities and future careers. Unfortunately, young people are not often engaged in addressing these issues, nor are they taught the skills necessary to make a difference. To prepare youth to be active and informed with the ability and desire to make an impact, they need opportunities to respond to emerging issues through civic engagement and volunteerism. They also need experiences that equip them with skills to step up as leaders in a multicultural world.
MSU Extension is helping to develop youth as current and future leaders by providing programs that instill young people with knowledge and skills to become positive agents of change. These programs focus on leadership development, civic education and engagement, global citizenship and developing cultural competencies. In the 2016-17 program year, Michigan youth participated in nearly 59,000 of these types of Michigan 4-H experiences. Of those surveyed:
- 91% agreed they could stand up for things that were important to them, an increase of 17% preprogram.
- 91% felt they could help people come to a decision as a group, an increase of 21% preprogram.
- 84% said they could make a difference in their community, an increase of 31% preprogram.
