The Committee of Seventy recently unveiled the launch of Spanish and Chinese editions of its civic education guides, writes Davis Cuffe for Billy Penn at WHYY.
The goal is to help further promote civic engagement, help address the language barriers non-English speakers often face when voting, and also to help them better understand Philadelphia’s local government.
“If you can’t access the issues, the answers in the language that you understand, our entire system of government becomes a locked door,” said Lauren Cristella, president and CEO of the Committee of Seventy.
Recent U.S. Census data states that more than 300,000 Philadelphia residents speak a language other than English.
Spanish and Chinese are among the two most commonly-used foreign languages — representing about 12 percent of Philly’s population — which is why Committee of Seventy chose those two languages for its new civic education guides.
City Commissioner Seth Bluestein added that democracy works better when everyone has the opportunity to participate.
The new guides include explanatory sections on topics such as Philadelphia City Council and budget, Philly’s school district, and other elected officials.
Cristella said that the organization is planning is to release a French guide soon.
Read more about how Committee of Seventy is working to increase civic education at Billy Penn at WHYY.
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