We encourage people to participate in local politics and vote in the November 2025 elections. Many citizens ignore these grass roots local elections. The class Global Politics is a two year long class taught for students in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Camden High School. It’s overarching theme is people, power and politics. The goal of this class is for students to become knowledgeable of differing perspectives on political issues. In the process students are learning skills needed to affect change.
Each student of the class selects a political engagement project (PEP). A PEP involves each individual to come up with a political issue that is local, related to the community or close to the person’s own neighborhood. The selected project must be of immediate concern, a current event. Finally, the project selected must be personal to the student either that it affects him/her or is of his/her own personal interest. Examples of PEP’s that students have chosen this year include: gun violence, gentrification of West Broadway, environmental racism, and the development of the Upper Harbor Terminal.
Students must immerse themselves in their community making an analysis of their chosen topic through participating in a related activity in their neighborhood. Research of topics is also central to each PEP.
Instructor Harder states, “The more knowledgeable students are about the issues within their own community, the more likely they will participate in politics, locally, and eventually nationally.”
Camden High School has had an International Baccalaureate (IB) program since 1987. IB is a nonprofit educational foundation that offers challenging academic programs to students aged 13 to 19. These programs aim to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who can help create a more peaceful world. The IB Diploma Program, for students aged 16–19, is particularly well-known and respected by universities globally for higher education entry.
Note: The upcoming December issue of Camden News will include student’s reflections about their experiences as members of the Global Politics Class and their individual project.