Philanthropy and Civic Engagement
The John D. Gerhart Center has a dual focus: to consolidate university activities aimed at encouraging engaged citizenship and service, and to promote enhanced philanthropic giving in the Arab region. At AUC, academic service learning courses will be expanded and faculty/student skills in program assessment and critical analysis will be made available to civil society groups. Exceptional community activists will be invited to spend short-term residencies on campus. Students will be encouraged to explore ways of making life-long commitments to public service, and faculty and students will have opportunities to engage in research activities that analyze challenges in the field of civic engagement as well as best practices within the field.
To promote enhanced philanthropic giving in the Arab region, AUC is committed to assisting in efforts to institutionalize and professionalize what are still largely gestures of individual generosity. It is now a promising time to be joining forces with the growing number of modern philanthropists who are rebuilding the field in the region after decades of neglect.
Charitable giving, which has a rich history in the region, is laudable and provides support to many among the disadvantaged in Arab societies. AUC will also encourage those in the new generation of philanthropists who are committed to addressing root causes of social problems and utilizing rights and social justice as guiding values for their work.
John D. Gerhart
One of the enduring legacies of the presidency of John Gerhart at the American University in Cairo was the leadership he provided in promoting volunteerism and public service.
A lifetime of work in the philanthropic field convinced him that an essential aim of liberal education is to instill values of service and civic responsibility.
During his tenure at AUC, programs were expanded for AUC students to tearn skills and concepts of civic engagement, and to participate in a wide range of community—based activities.
