Posted Sep. 1/05
While compiling this issue on citizen engagement, my subconscious kept lobbing one all-important question at me: ‘Am I engaged?’
Of course, this really depends on someone’s definition of what it means to be an active participant in Canadian society. For me and others like me (I’m assuming that I’m among the majority of Canadians), it seems sufficient to take part in three main things: voting, staying informed about the major issues through the media, and discussing or debating those issues of the day with friends and co-workers. Add to the list some intermittent correspondence with elected representatives and attending the odd city council or ratepayers meeting. But is this enough?
Perhaps, in some cases, this is all that time allows for. But there are others among us who go that extra mile to get involved. Take Ike Awgu, BA/05, as one example. As a law student at Carleton, Awgu realized that the issues which mattered most to him and his age group could go under-represented if he didn’t take matters into his own hands.
Hence Awgu’s decision to run for mayor in Ottawa’s last mayoralty race. While he came in third, he makes the critical point in his column that youth issues may not have even been raised during campaign time had he not run. This same message can be found in recent get-out-the-vote ad campaigns which warn viewers: If you do not speak for yourself, someone else will.
By reading about Awgu and others in this issue, I am confident you will be inspired. And I hope you have the valuable opportunity to reflect, as I did, on what it means to be involved in our democracy.
Scott Foster, MJ/01
Editor
newsletter_editor@carleton.ca