Occidental College is a member of Project Pericles, a national organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include social responsibility and participatory citizenship as essential elements of their educational programs.
Founded in 2001 by philanthropist Eugene M. Lang, Project Pericles works directly with its member institutions as they individually and collaboratively develop model civic engagement programs in their classrooms, on their campuses, and in their communities.
Since 2008, Pericles has sponsored the D4D On The Road initiative, bringing advocacy experts to 29 Periclean campuses across the country, including Occidental. They deliver workshops designed to empower and prepare students, faculty, and community members to work within our democratic processes to improve the condition of society. The workshops are open to students, faculty, administrators, alumni, and community leaders.
Each six-hour workshop will help attendees learn concrete tools for successful organizing and advocacy, including values-based messaging, analyzing root causes, identifying targets and tactics, and strategic planning. By the end of the day, participants are be able to identify new strategies for making change on a particular issue or cause, practice developing and delivering an effective advocacy message, and build relationships to support and sustain their work.
Students, faculty, administrators, alumni, and community leaders will participate in an interactive workshop that will help them learn concrete tools for successful organizing and advocacy, including issue identification, messaging, lobbying, and strategic planning. The workshop will cover tactics for working with candidates, elected officials, and news media. Participants will identify new strategies for making change on a particular issue or cause, practice developing and delivering an effective advocacy message, and build relationships to support and sustain their work. By the end of the day, they will have the tools and resources needed to work to advance long-lasting change.
The D4D National Conference brings together student representatives from 29 campuses nationally to participate in a series of panels and workshops with leading figures in civic/community engagement, education, the environment, politics, public policy, and social entrepreneurship.