By Farah Achbabe, LPV Fellow from Morocco
There is an amazing quote hanging on “Leadership Pioneer Valley” office that caught my attention since my first day and pushed me to question the answers I have managed to arrive to during the years I spent considering myself as a person “civically Engaged” in Morocco. This quote which seems to be a simple motivating quote is, actually, more to it than that.
The quote from Margaret Mead said:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. “
In fact, this quote undeniably stresses the importance of civic engagement in small groups that are aware by their responsibility and roles towards their communities and how working hard, continually and consistently as teams could do miracles and touch positive change.
De facto, I have learned from the people I met during official meetings and Galas in West Massachusetts that they have become civically engaged when they realized that having a good job and a salary are not enough to feel good about themselves.
Civic Engagement lunch discussion with LPV Alumni from left: Adam Gomez ’18, Kelvin Molina-Brantley ’12, Will Reichelt ’17, Giselle Vizcarrondo ’17, Lorenzo Gaines ’12, Shayvonne Plummer ’18 and Farah Achbabe (not pictured Justin Hurst ’17)
Civic engagement is an inclination to periodically question reality, look for alternatives and try to figure out new solutions for what matters most.
In fact, people who are civically engaged have the guts to implement positive ideas, to bring positive change and solve the social issues they may encounter in their Neighborhood, Town, City or state given that they are all concerned. It obviously goes without saying but what is good for the community is good for the individuals and vice versa.
Civic engagement is not an option, it is a moral obligation towards the nation we belong to.
On the one hand, civic engagement is not at all about hoping to change the world but it is about taking your courage in both hands and going from grand to the ground: It is time to stop waiting for someone to save us and get involved in community.
On the other hand, being civically engaged is about to set the bar in a high level, keep anyone engaged, being mindful of the differences, cross boundaries and most importantly try continually to overcome ourselves by bringing positive and concrete change to the table. That goes hand and hand with challenging the process while sharing inspiring vision with everyone who wants to help at this time.
Civic engagement includes communities that are taking advantage from their differences and diversity and working together in both political and non-political actions in order to address public concerns and promote the quality of the community.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Martin Luther King Jr. the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement once said to an audience in Montgomery, Alabama in 1957. The man who sacrificed his life to lead one of the most successful revolution in the 20 century in order to free people from segregation and slavery stressed that civic engagement is all what makes a life worth living. Indeed, it is the only thing that matters .