Global Strategy Group’s Post

🌟 Excited to share my incredible journey as a Democracy Summer Scholar in the 2024 Democracy Summer Program! 🌟 Over the past few months, I will have the privilege to immerse myself in a dynamic virtual program that focused on enhancing democratic engagement and political activism. Here are some highlights: 🗳️ Engage in National Democracy Summer School seminars: Joined Fellows and Scholars across America every Monday and Tuesday to discuss critical topics such as voting rights, labor movements, and environmental politics. 🌱 Interactive Workshops: Participate in weekly workshops with peers, fostering collaboration and deepening our understanding of democratic processes. 📚 Insightful Speakers: Learned from prominent figures including Rep. Jamie Raskin, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Sherrilyn Ifill. Their discussions on voter suppression, democracy repression, and the legitimacy crisis of the Supreme Court were particularly impactful. 💬 Collaborative Environment: Utilizing Slack for seamless communication and teamwork, which was essential for coordinating efforts and sharing ideas. 🔍 Developing Skills: Enhance my analytical, public speaking, and teamwork skills by presenting insights on democratic engagement and policy-making.

I wrote a little something for 56˚ North about the inescapability of hope, imagination, and irrationality in our political life. Perhaps this is the first time Ernst Bloch and Pat McFadden have been name-dropped in the same article - once a political theory student, always a political theory student! It's a quick read, and I would love to hear your thoughts!

"This fellowship has introduced me to myriad ways to bring together my interests in federal and state #policy research, program design and devaluation, and collaboration with community partners and other stakeholders." Learn more about Lara Markovitz and her #fellowship experience in her 2024 SRCD State Policy Fellow Spotlight: https://bit.ly/41UjxX4 #research #fellow #StatePolicy

Have you subscribed to the Global Campus Alumni newsletter updates? 🌱 We send an update approximately every two months, and it's a great way to stay informed about what's happening across our community and to learn about various activities and opportunities for you as an alumnus/alumna. Here’s the most recent newsletter update to keep you informed. We invite you to take part: https://lnkd.in/dGfFQF89 Global Campus of Human Rights #GCAlumni

Rethinking the 14th Amendment: Race-Based Programs Under Siege 🏛️🔍 📢There’s an evolving interpretation of the 14th Amendment and its impact on race-based programs. Here are three key takeaways: Supreme Court Ruling Fallout: Last year’s decision to dismantle affirmative action has triggered legal challenges against race-specific grants, internships, and scholarships. These lawsuits claim such programs disadvantage White and Asian Americans, invoking the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. ⚖️📚 Historical Intent vs. Modern Use: Historians argue that the 14th Amendment was never intended to be colorblind. Originally ratified to protect the rights of newly freed Black Americans, its vague language now allows varied interpretations that some use to challenge programs designed to address racial disparities. 📜👩🏾🏫 Recent Legal Battles: Conservative groups are actively using the 14th Amendment to contest programs for people of color, claiming they violate equal protection. From internships at the Smithsonian to reparations in Evanston, Illinois, these legal battles highlight the ongoing struggle over how equality is defined and enforced. ⚔️🏛️ Let's harness this pivotal moment to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in all sectors. Reach out to learn more about our tailored training and coaching services that empower organizations to navigate these complex issues effectively. Together, we can foster environments where every voice is heard and valued. 🌍 #EqualProtection #DEIJustice #AmendmentDebate https://lnkd.in/edz35dkf

Here it is! No longer waiting in the wings, I am so excited to announce the official launch of The Jaguar Athenaeum (Atha-nee-um). Wow, it has been a long time coming. I began this project, or, I should say, the idea of this project, a little before freshmen year. I knew that I wanted to complete my Girl Scouts of the USA Girl Scout Gold Award. Girl Scouts had always been a place that taught me that my age didn't determine if I could create incredible, and impactful, projects. As my love for the arts grew, as well as my passion for leadership, management, and graphic design, I knew I wanted to create something to help today's, and hopefully tomorrow's, youth. As a child, and even now, as a teenager, I hear all too often to just "wait until you're older". People didn't take my ideas seriously, even when I presented them in that manner, merely because of my age. Now, in high school, I face a similar challenge. Despite the internet and thousands upon thousands of articles, blog posts, YouTube videos, and more, I felt lost and confused trying to figure out a timeline for my high school career. I was tired of spending hours trying to find even the smallest of information that was relevant to me. It was exhausting---and as someone who has spent their free time doing deep dives into jobs and careers from age 10, that's saying something. Eventually, I started to toy with the idea of creating what would soon become the Athenaeum. After a year of research, of figuring out how in the world I would do it, I created The Jaguar Athenaeum club. There is so much I could say about the Athenaeum, and about the incredibly dedicated and talented team that made it a possibility, but I'll just say this: The Jaguar Athenaeum was created to connect youth in the arts, locally, and eventually beyond, not only to each other, but to the industry. In the age of connection, of information, we refined it to create a handbook to act as a mentor to artistic hopefuls in written, visual, and performative arts. To provide opportunity and knowledge for zero cost, available to everyone, everywhere. We weren't sure if it was possible. This was our pilot issue, our way to test if we would be able to pull something like this off. We did. And we're only just getting started. Thank you to everyone who made this project possible, you deserve the world. Stay tuned for more updates, and please show this post, or our website, https://lnkd.in/ei8pHwQY to any creative you know. We can only help artists if they know we are a resource they can use.

The Most Sustainable Campaign (Probably!) Today, I was at the South Cloisters in UCL for the Candidate Fair - a campaigning opportunity for the Leadership Race (or the Students' Union UCL elections) candidates. There were many candidates in the hall and almost all of them had multiple posters. These posters were not just put up on the Cloisters but all around the campus. Many candidates also had chocolates on their table to attract students (or should I say, votes). And then there was me... I had one long banner, which was actually three used A3 sheets glued together. On the unused side, I wrote HAFLADS (but envision this as if it is struck out). My campaign slogan is to beat what I call HAFLADS (Homesickness, Academic Pressure, Financial Difficulties, Loneliness, Anxiety, Depression and Stress) in the UCL student community. I also had some bookmark-like chits which had quotes on them (again, these were scrap chits on which I wrote the quotes). I obviously did not garner as much attention as the other candidates did, obviously. In fact, some of the current and previously elected union officers suggested that I get a few posters printed or at least get a QR code printed. But my conscience (or intuition, if you will) told me otherwise. I mean I am standing for the position of Welfare and Community Officer. I thought from the perspective of our wider community - our environment. Those posters that adorn the pinboards and walls of UCL today are soon going to be called "trash". That made me think - "What good am I as a Welfare and Community Officer candidate if I don't even care about the environment?" While I do understand the excitement behind the campaign and the Leadership Race, I also care about the problem of clutter. I might not get elected or win the "Leadership Race" but I am proud of my efforts and the values I hold firmly. I am happy knowing that I am still being environmental-friendly, through what seems like a very small step. After all, we become a community when we share something common. And, our environment is one of the most important features that make up our community. My campaign is my initiative to be eco-friendly and I am going to put my environment first. #sustainability #campaign #leadershiprace #studentsunionucl #studentsunionelections #environmentfirst

Q: The high cost of living is a major concern for Californians. What will you do in the state legislature to help make household expenses, like electricity and groceries, more affordable? ARAMBULA: I will work with my colleagues to hold corporations accountable. I support economic development and job creation for the Central Valley to ensure families have good-paying jobs, as well as access to higher education, career pathways and apprenticeship programs. You can read this article and more at Midvalleytimes.com // https://loom.ly/orsyQy0

Check out our August newsletter for updates on Region 6!

"Gen-Z, Politics, and Social Media in America" Kurt Andersen, the bestselling author of "Fantasyland" and "Evil Geniuses," and Kanika Mehra, a summa cum laude graduate in Political Science and Government from the University of Maryland who combines her academic passion with real-world experience from her time at Oxford and internships in journalism and politics. Together, Andersen and Mehra will tackle the pressing questionings: How can GenZ lead America out of its current crisis? What role will media play in this transformation? And how will social media impact the coming election? Don’t miss this essential conversation on the power of GenZ to drive America’s state of affairs, and an exploration of how social media is driving this poltiical cycle. WATCH VIDEO:  https://lnkd.in/e8nvSyT5 Kurt Andersen Kanika Mehra