Civic Service

Civic engagement may be a barometer of a vibrant democracy and an indicator of connected, productive lives. Our work on civic engagement focuses on societal inclusion and ways to promote engagement across the life course. Our research in civic engagement has spanned basic and applied interests, from the relationship between assets and civic engagement to volunteerism among older adults or productive aging to the development and effects of civic service.

Beginning in 2001, a major international research initiative on civic service was initiated through the Global Service Institute (GSI) at CSD. Civic service refers to an organized period of engagement and contribution to the local, national, or world community. Examples of service in the United States include the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s, and AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and the Senior Volunteer Corps today. Examples in other countries include the Nigerian National Youth Service program, Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, Germany's civilian service alternative to military service called Zivildienst, and Mexico's Servicio Social. Civic service appears to be an emerging institution in many countries, and it may have positive effects on both the servers and the served.

Through GSI, CSD's mission is to study, inform, and assist in developing the knowledge base on civic service worldwide. Our research has concentrated on the forms and effects of youth service, elder service, and international or transnational service. To promote the development of a worldwide network, CSD operates a global information network that links scholars, practitioners, and policy makers via the web.

Click here for information on our Civic Service Research Fellows' Seminar, "Understanding Civic Service: International Research and Application," to be held February 27 - March 4, 2007, at Washington University in St. Louis.