Maryland 4-H hosts Issue Forums to intentionally focus on addressing areas of social injusticeInjustice Unequal treatment wherein the rights of a person or a group of people are ignored or restricted (Sensoy & DiAngelo, 2012). within communities, the country, and the world. The purpose of these forums is to bring an engaged group of youth, community members, and educators together to deliberate about an important community issue with the help of facilitators who provide factual background and guide the conversation.
Program Goals:
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- Gather a group of engaged youth and adults to discuss a community issue
- Increase understanding of Injustice (global – state– Local)
- Develop a greater advocacy in Maryland
- Develop a cohort of young activists who are engaged in community and civic engagement
- Identify strategies to address the issue
This 3-day event is divided into 3 distinct segments:
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- FRAMING: Framing the social justiceSocial justice A vision of a society wherein the distribution of resources, opportunity, societal benefits and protection is equitable for all members. “Social justice involves social actors who have a sense of their own agency as well as a sense of social responsibility toward and with others and the society as a whole” (Baltimore Racial Justice 2016, para.11). issue & team building
- DISCOVERY: Engagement in action research/service project/hands-on learning
- ACTION: Developing community action plans