The Rhode Island Department of State’s Office of Civic Education and Engagement will launch its inaugural Civic Leadership Summit in April.
The three-day program, which is free for all high school students interested in civic engagement, will take students from 41 high schools across the state to experience hands-on learning opportunities in a unique program designed to inspire a new generation of leaders.
The summit is the culmination of the RI Civic Liaison Program, which allows students to participate in monthly workshops with government and community leaders, collaborate on civic action projects, and develop leadership skills.
“I’ve spent my first year as Secretary of State visiting local classrooms to talk about civic engagement and meeting with students at the State House, so I know that Rhode Island is home to engaged students who are seeking opportunities to become more involved with their state and local governments, and democracy as a whole,” said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. “I am confident that the Rhode Island Civic Leadership Program and its Civic Leadership Summit will be impactful, meaningful, and change-making for these emerging leaders in our state.”
The Civic Leadership Summit is designed to build upon the foundation laid by the Rhode Island Civic Liaison Program and provide students with the skills and tools they need to become active and engaged stewards of their communities. The program is free and open to all high school students in the state.
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RI Department of State Announces New Rhode Island Civic Leadership Summit, Founding Partners
Non-partisan civic education program will connect local students to State government
PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and the RI Department of State Civic Education & Engagement Division today announced that the inaugural Rhode Island Civic Leadership Summit will be held April 17 through 19, 2024. The announcement comes as Rhode Island recognizes Civic Learning Week with events statewide focusing on the future of civic participation.
The Rhode Island Department of State offers a suite of non-partisan, civic education-oriented programming and events designed to spark a passion for lifelong civic engagement and empower local students to think critically, tackle challenges, and strengthen our democracy.
This programming includes a student Civic Liaison Program, through which local students nominated by their school participate in monthly workshops where they are introduced to government and community leaders and collaborate on civic action projects in their own communities. There are currently 86 students representing 41 high schools participating in the program, which began in June of 2023.
The Civic Leadership Summit will be the culminating event of the student Civic Liaison Program. The Civic Leadership Summit will be a three-day-long experiential learning program that will provide students the opportunity to collaborate with their peers, participate in professionally guided workshops, and encourage them to think critically about issues and evaluate potential solutions.
“I’ve spent my first year as Secretary of State visiting local classrooms to talk about civic engagement and meeting with students at the State House, so I know that Rhode Island is home to engaged students who are seeking opportunities to become more involved with their state and local governments, and democracy as a whole,” said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. “I am confident that the Rhode Island Civic Leadership Program and its Civic Leadership Summit will be impactful, meaningful, and change-making for these emerging leaders in our state.”
The Summit has been designed for high school students of all ages who have demonstrated an interest in civic engagement, public policy, and state government, and is based in part on Project In-Site, a program many current state leaders experienced during their high school years that has not been offered to Rhode Island’s youth since 1985.
“Growing up, I was the only kid interested in government. The way in which our world could be changed through voting, debating, and bill writing was something I had to appreciate on my own. For many students, the government felt far away, which is a concerning, dejected sentiment echoed by our current voting age adults,” said Sharbel Mikhail, a Saint Raphael Academy student and participant in the student Civic Liaison Program. “This student Civic Liaison Program not only made our government accessible but lit a flame of hope. A hope that I was not the only one who shared this passion for government. A hope that with the skills and tools being offered, we may enact change within our communities.”
In addition, Secretary Amore today announced the founding partners whose donations and support will enable the Summit to be offered at no cost to program participants.
In support of the Rhode Island Civic Leadership Program, the Rhode Island Foundation created a new philanthropic fund and made one of the initial contributions to benefit the Department of State’s non-partisan programming.
“Community foundations begin with community. Supporting civic education will deepen community engagement and build the connections that are crucial to our work improving education, health care and economic opportunity for all,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO.
Corporate sponsors include The Beacon Mutual Insurance Company, BankNewport, Bally’s Corporation, and Cox Communications.
“Civic engagement fosters a knowledgeable and inclusive community, enhancing the quality of decision-making and facilitating innovative problem-solving for issues of public concern, ultimately benefiting personal and community development. As a community-oriented organization, Beacon encourages civic engagement, and its Foundation is supporting initiatives like the Rhode Island Civic Leadership Summit,” said Amy Vitale, Esq., Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer of The Beacon Mutual Insurance Company.
Educational institutions and organizations also demonstrated their commitment to this programming through financial support, including Rhode Island College, the National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI), the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals (RIFTHP), and the East Providence Education Association.
“As an anchor institution for our state, Rhode Island College is proud to partner with Secretary of State Amore on the inaugural Rhode Island Civic Leadership Summit. We believe that higher education plays a crucial role in developing the next generation of highly engaged civic leaders. Experiential learning opportunities like this are an important way to provide students with the tools they need to be active and empowered stewards of our lively experiment,” said Rhode Island College President Dr. Jack Warner.
Through the generosity of these sponsors, students will attend the RI Civic Leadership Summit at no cost.
“I’m very honored and proud to have been selected by my teachers and represent my school. I am a “Gen Z” and we need to be more active and involved in government; this program has given me the opportunity and exposure to the inner workings of state government. Civic leadership is all about groups of people from different backgrounds finding common interests, taking action to address community issues, and advocating for a positive change across the community,” said Min Lombardi, an East Greenwich High School student and participant in the student Civic Liaison Program. “The fact that this Summit is free of charge means that there are no barriers to entry; the government should be open and transparent for everybody. I’m looking forward to learning how government works and I hope it helps me explore my interests that I might have working within government.”
Individuals or organizations who are interested in learning more about the Summit, the Rhode Island Civic Leadership Program, or the Department of State’s efforts around civic engagement can reach out to Eileen Sweeney, Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, at esweeney@sos.ri.gov. Donations can also be made online through the Rhode Island Foundation at www.rifoundation.org/riclp. Sponsorship opportunities are available at all financial levels, and the RI Department of State looks forward to welcoming additional founding partners.
To learn more about the RI Department of State’s civic education programming, visit sos.ri.gov.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
