Youth, Power and Policy: Home
Democracy Conversation Project
This Guide is part of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities new program, the Democracy Conversation Project. Funded through the “Why it Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation” initiative, the Democracy Conversation Project (DCP) is a public humanities program designed to foster discussions among New Jersey communities about civic life and democracy in America. It contains materials that cover the history of youth activism, current, and proposed activism for social justice, voter rights, immigration and youth participation in Democracy.
This is an ongoing project and new resources will be made available as the discussion continues. Look for 
icon for 2022 additions. Recommendations and suggestions for resources can be sent to the Atlantic Cape Community College William Spangler Library at library@atlanitccape.edu
Voices and Votes: Democracy in America: Exhibit
Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and state humanities councils nationwide, and is based on the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History exhibition American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith.
Atlantic Cape will be the host of this traveling exhibit July 11 - August 13, 2022 at the Atlantic Cape Student Center, Building G on the Mays Landing campus.
The Research Guide for Voices and Votes: Democracy in America: Exhibit contains historical material, reference sources, book titles and links to Internet resources on voting, voter rights and citizenship. Information on events and programs leading up to and concurrent with the exhibit are included in the guide.
Overcome Obstacles
- Stop and Listen: Youth in Power / Youth Empowered TED TalkIt is very common to dismiss the argument of a teen based solely on their age. In his talk, Lucas Codognolla urges others to put an end to this common practice and help guide youth towards achieving their goals an aspirations. From the 2018 TEDxUConn Conference which took place on April 8th, 2018. The theme for the event was Zero to Hero.
- How Young Activists Got 18-Year-Olds the Right to Vote in Record TimeSmithsonian Magazine November 11, 2020
Get Involved
- Center for Youth Political ParticipationThe Eagleton Institute of Politics’ Center for Youth Political Participation at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, advances the political learning of young people and equips them to be active citizens and leaders. For young people to assume their place in the political process, the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of political participation must be taught. Through education, research, and public service, the Center for Youth Political Participation plays a lead role locally and nationally in fostering and promoting the active citizenship and leadership of future generations.
- YMCA New Jersey Youth and GovernmentSince its inception in 1938, the YMCA New Jersey Youth and Government program has been educating students in civic engagement and public speaking. The program culminates every year in a two and a half day legislative simulation that offers more than 400 delegates the opportunity to debate pertinent state issues, engage in servant leadership, and most importantly, forge lifelong relationships. Students attending the NJYAG conference get an opportunity to enhance what they would learn in a traditional civic class by actively simulating the entire process legislation follows before becoming law. Conference also caters to a wide range of interests; in fact, delegates are able to participate as senators, assemblymen, justices and lawyers, media members, and more. Throughout the process, delegates have access to the mentorship of staff members, including professional lawyers, YMCA staff trained in youth empowerment and training, and NJYAG alumni studying or working in a wide variety of fields.
