Educational Network For Global And Grass Roots Exchange dba ENGAGE

Our MissionENGAGE (theEducational Network for Global and Grassroots Exchange) is a coalitionof returned study abroad students that transforms the study abroadexperience into lifelong connections and cooperative action betweenpeoples and social movements working towards a just and sustainableworld.BackgroundAgrowing number of US-based study abroad programs are offering studentsthe opportunity to learn about issues of social justice, human rights,and environmental sustainability in a global context. Further, theseprograms are directly connecting their students to communities andsocial movements who are working to create another world. ENGAGEemerged from the energy of these study abroad students when theyreturned home, as they struggled to answer challenging questions: Asstudents, how do we work in our home communities towards social justiceand sustainability? How do we remain connected to, and work alongside,the communities and social movements that inspired us while abroad? Howdo we turn our education into action?Who We AreStudentsformed ENGAGE in 2001 in order to link the struggles of Thaicommunities to communities and organizations in the United States. Ourexperiences illustrate how former study abroad students can organizethemselves in order to affect change both in the United States andabroad. Since 2001, ENGAGE has grown into a broader network ofstudents, study abroad programs, and communities working collectivelyto link social movements throughout the world. ENGAGE is a 501(c)(3)non-profit organization.