Join the Next Gen Civic Fellowship

Applications for the 2023-24 Civic Fellowship have closed, please check back in August for 2024-25 applications.

Are you interested in participating in conversations that emphasize multiple perspectives with civic-minded high school students across the country? Apply to be a Next Generation Politics Civic Fellow here!

Background

In response to the attacks on democracy in recent years, the lack of comprehensive civic education available to students, and the persistent and systemic segregation in American schools, we designed and launched Civic Forums in 2017.

Our aim is to bring together racially, socioeconomically, and politically diverse teens to rethink and rebuild civil society. We do this by promoting critical thinking skills and providing opportunities for students to engage with perspectives and life experiences different from their own. Participants (called Civic Fellows) from a broad range of public and private schools are provided with lively, interactive background resources on each month’s theme to provide foundational knowledge from across the ideological spectrum and to foster initial thinking and dialogue.

One Sunday a month, Civic Fellows come together using a deliberative dialogue framework to discuss issues like Freedom of Expression, Criminal Justice, Democracy Renovation, Immigration, and Structural Racism. The goal of the Civic Forums is to build civic knowledge and skills; foster relationships with peers and intergenerational allies; and cultivate generational leadership with the capacity to create inclusive civic solutions.

Key 2023-24 Dates

Civic Fellows are required to attend a Civic Orientation and Community Building session in October as well as monthly Civic Forums. 

There are two options for orientation: IN PERSON in NYC on Sun, Oct 1 from 10AM-4PM ET or a virtual orientation option on Sun, Oct 8 for those outside NYC. The Civic Forums will be held on Sundays, Oct 29, Nov 19, Dec 10, and Jan 7 from 1-3:30PM ET.

Upon completion of the first semester in good standing, Fellows can apply for a spring cross-school Civic Action Project internship. Internships will convene on Feb 4, Mar 3, April 7, and May 5, with final presentations on Sun, May 19.

For more information, contact Sanda: sanda@yvoteny.org