Chicago Public Schools Announces the Global Citizenship Initiative

Preparing Chicago Students to Become Informed, Effective Citizens

CHICAGO, Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the 2012 presidential election a mere two months away, the new school year provides an opportunity for local educators and schools to engage young people in the political process. In order to prepare young people for their life-long role as citizens, Chicago Public Schools in partnership with the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, announces the Global Citizenship Initiative, an unprecedented effort to strengthen civic learning in an urban school district and ready young people for participation in our democracy.

The Global Citizenship Initiative is designed to address a profound civic achievement gap, caused by a lack of high-quality, school-based civic learning opportunities in urban areas.  The 2012-2013 school year will constitute the pilot phase, during which 15 high schools will introduce a Civics/Financial Literacy course for seniors, a student leadership and governance project, and integration of service-learning and civic action practices in Social Science classrooms. 

"Making high-quality, school-based civic learning opportunities for all Chicago students is vital to sustaining democracy, both at the local and national levels," said David Hiller, president and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. "Our collective future depends on the ability of the next generation not only to vote, but also to take action to keep our communities vibrant and our system of government strong.  The McCormick Foundation salutes CPS, its community and university partners, and our fellow funders for making this pioneering urban civic learning initiative in our city possible."

On Tuesday, August 28, 2012, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Chicago Public Schools, in partnership with Facing History and Ourselves, hosted a celebration and launch of the Global Citizenship Initiative with students, teachers, principals, university partners, civic organizations, museums, and city officials in the Choosing to Participate exhibit presented at the Harold Washington Library.

The Chicago Public Schools Global Citizenship Initiative is supported through funding provided by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation and the Spencer Foundation. The McCormick Foundation is also a sponsor of Facing History and Ourselves' Choosing to Participate exhibition at Harold Washington Library through November 11, 2012.

About the Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Robert R. McCormick Foundation is committed to fostering communities of educated, informed and engaged citizens. Through philanthropic programs, Cantigny Park and museums, the Foundation helps develop citizen leaders and works to make life better in our communities. The Foundation was established as a charitable trust in 1955, upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The McCormick Foundation is one of the nation's largest foundations, with more than $1 billion in assets. To learn more about the McCormick Foundation visit www.McCormickFoundation.org.  

SOURCE Robert R. McCormick Foundation