To celebrate Civic Engagement Month, we are highlighting our many inspiring alumni from our Study of U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Global Student Leaders program. Through partnerships with U.S. universities and a series of interactive classroom activities, community-based projects, and site visits to U.S. cities of all sizes, SUSI students experience an in-depth investigation into program themes and enhance their understanding of American values. Zacarias Filipe Chicuio of Mozambique participated in the 2020 SUSI for Global Student Leaders on Civic Engagement, with Meridian’s partner, Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS) at the University of Washington, Seattle.   How would you define “Civic Engagement”? My understanding of civic engagement lies in the fact that it is the active participation of individuals in their communities and society as a whole. This involves becoming knowledgeable about societal issues, expressing one’s opinions, and taking action to address those issues.   This month’s theme is civic engagement. How has participating in SUSI transformed the way you view civic engagement in your community and around the world? The SUSI program gave me a different perspective in the sense that it provided me with a transformative experience that broadened my perspective in numerous ways. To begin with, … Continue reading New Perspectives on Civic Engagement from a SUSI Alumni