The CUPS-BUAP community schools, an experience that favours active citizenship among university students

Abstract

The university, as an educational space, has the capacity to promote more sustainable lifestyles and to train active citizens who contribute to solving social problems. In this context, the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla created the University Centre for Social Participation (CUPS-BUAP), whose purpose is to contribute to improving the living conditions of marginalised social groups in the region and, at the same time, to promote training processes for university students in the social sphere.

The aim of this research was to determine the impact of the CUPS-BUAP Community Schools (CS) programme on the personal and professional lives of students through a qualitative methodology. The results showed that, although some students showed a social interest prior to the experience, the experience of the CF allowed them to reinforce this interest and increase their commitment. The students consider that the experience developed in them values such as solidarity and equality, as well as citizenship skills such as dialogue and participation. The formation of the university students, as citizens with commitment and social awareness, was marked by two main elements, (1) the socio-educational relationship with the children and young people in the CEs, and (2) the recognition of inequality.

This research showed that student participation in social engagement projects contributes significantly to the development of a socially engaged and socially conscious citizenship.