Sacramento, CA – The Youth Service Council played a key role in this year’s California Civic Learning Summit, a two-day event that brought together students, educators, and civic leaders from across the state to discuss the future of civic education and youth engagement.
Day One: A Powerful Start
The summit began at the California Museum, where Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools, David W. Gordon, warmly welcomed attendees, emphasizing the importance of student leadership in shaping civic life. His remarks set the stage for an inspiring keynote by Tani Cantil-Sakauye, President & CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California and retired Chief Justice of California. She spoke about the critical role of young people in democracy, encouraging students to use their voices and take action in their communities.
Following the opening session, the Youth Service Council joined students from across California in engaging team-building activities, designed to foster collaboration and leadership. These exercises encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones, work together, and build relationships with like-minded peers. The day continued with student-led discussions on key civic issues, where participants shared their thoughts on topics such as education equity, mental health resources, community engagement, and youth representation in local government. These conversations allowed students to identify shared concerns and brainstorm innovative solutions to bring back to their schools and communities.
Day Two: Advocacy in Action
The momentum continued into Day Two, where the Youth Service Council took civic leadership to the next level. Their Council President was elected to serve on a statewide student panel, joining other young leaders from across California to discuss their civic passions, personal experiences, and hopes for the future of civic engagement. In front of an audience filled with students, educators, and city officials, he spoke passionately about the importance of youth involvement in decision-making, the impact of student-led initiatives, and the power of civic education to create lasting change. He also highlighted the unique challenges and contributions of first-generation immigrants, emphasizing the need for policies that support and uplift diverse communities. His words resonated with the crowd, inspiring both peers and adults alike to further support and invest in student-driven civic efforts.
But the day didn’t stop there—Youth Service Council members and other students hit the ground running, knocking on the doors of Assembly members to advocate for the reconsideration of the bill, introduced by Senator Monique Limón, that seeks to expand civic education for students before their senior year, ensuring they learn about democracy, government, and civic engagement early on. 📚🇺🇸 It would also require students to complete at least one civic engagement activity with a government institution, providing them with real-world experience in advocacy and public service.
The California Civic Learning Summit was a powerful reminder that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are leaders today. Through their active participation, insightful contributions, and commitment to civic engagement, the Youth Service Council demonstrated that student voices matter and that they have the power to shape policies, strengthen communities, and build a better future.
With renewed energy and a network of new connections, council members left the summit ready to bring their ideas and inspiration back to their schools and communities—proving once again that when students lead, positive change follows. 🚀✨
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