A challenge ahead

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A challenge ahead

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A challenge ahead

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Friday, 17 February 2012 09:43

A recent report shows that Florida’s young adult population is less engaged in voting, volunteerism and public debate than their counterparts in other states, which means our younger residents have a significant way to go in terms of improving their “civic health.”
The study, “The 2011 Florida Civic Health Index: The Next Generation,” was conducted by the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship, the Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government at the University of Central Florida, the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida and the National Conference on Citizenship.
The report revealed that those 18 to 29 years old are far less engaged in civic life than their counterparts in many other states, which means they are less likely to attend public meetings, engage elected officials on crucial issues or volunteer with organizations in their communities.
This disengagement comes at a crucial time in our state’s and our country’s history. We have a presidential election coming up this year, and locally, we have county offices – both constitutional and charter – that must be filled. There are many local candidates to consider: six for clerk of court; two each for sheriff, property appraiser and tax collector; three for supervisor of elections; five for the County Commission district 1 seat, six for the district 3 seat and two in district 5; three candidates in both the district 2 and district 3 School Board races; seven candidates running for two city of Kissimmee commissioner seats and three for the mayor’s seat. We also have candidates running for judge and one incumbent so far for a St. Cloud City Council seat.
Our big-picture challenge – and “our’ includes lawmakers and leading institutions – is to find ways to engage the so-called millennials by giving them opportunities to get involved in local government; by expanding civic education; and by creating innovative programs to stir action and the exchange of ideas. This engagement is critical for the healthy political life of our nation, for Florida and for our county. It will determine how well we are governed.
Copies of the full report can be downloaded from The Bob Graham Center website at www.bobgrahamcenter.ufl.edu/civic-health-research and from the Lou Frey Institute website at loufreyinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CHI2011_Final_010512.pdf.