Current Initiatives

The International Center for Civic Engagement is engaged in several activities:

• The Center has published three civic engagement papers.
• The Center produces one electronic newsletter, UNPAN Newsletter.
• The Center operates Park's Climate Commitment, Community Outreach, Resources for Women, and Interfaith web sites.
• The Center coordinates Park's annual Democracy Day high school essay contest.
• The Center convenes Park's Great Decisions discussion group.
• ICCE is an official "Online International Center" of the United Nations Online Network in Public Administration and Finance (UNPAN).

In 2007, the Center:

• convened a visit by Dr. Valeria Heuberger of the Austrian Institute of East and Southeast European Studies on January 25;
• co-sponsored a Kansas City, MO City Council Candidates Forum on February 8;
• co-sponsored a performance of The Meeting on February 12;
• co-presented a March 2 forum for women interested in seeking elected office;
• convened a visit of administrators from Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique on July 23;
• hosted a Kansas City-area appearance of the three authors of The Faith Club on September 25;
• co-sponsored a Hispanic Heritage Month cultural event on October 9;
• convened a visit of 17 administrators from Latin America on October 29; and
• co-sponsored a women's leadership forum on November 9.

In 2008, the Center has/will:

• launched a new book discussion series; and
• co-sponsored "Vital Conversations: John Brown" on April 16.

ICCE Director Erik Bergrud:

• moderates the American Political Science Association's (APSA) civic education listserv;
• edits the International Civic Engagement blog;
• serves as vice chair of the American Society for Public Administration's (ASPA) Section on Certified Public Management;
• serves on the Board of Advisors for the Campaign for a United States Public Service Academy;
• serves on the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Economic Development Corporation and International Relations Council;
• serves on the One KC Voice executive committee;
• co-edits a new Information Age Publishing book series on "Research in International Civic Engagement."

In 2007, Bergrud:

• attended the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities' 2007 Legislative Conference;
• attended the Conference of Minority Public Administrators 2007 National Conference;
• received the Conference of Minority Public Administrators' Presidential Leadership Award;
• presented and facilitated a discussion on The World is Flat for the GLOBE program;
• represented the ICCE at 7th Interregional Consultative Meeting of UNPAN and the 7th Global Forum on Reinventing Government in Vienna;
• delivered a presentation titled "Public Administration: The Future is Unscripted" at the 9th Annual Texas ASPA/CPM Conference; and
• delivered a presentation titled "What It Means to Be an American in the 21st Century" at a Park University alumni luncheon.

In 2008, Bergrud:

• delivered a presentation on mentoring at the January 23 meeting of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration and
• delivered a presentation on "Information Resources for an Unscripted Future" at the 2008 American Society for Public Administration National Conference.

^ Back to the Top

---------------------------------

University Resources