Abstract
In the Fall of 2017, while a rising high school junior, the author founded a school club at the American Community Schools of Athens named ΚΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ (pronounced Kinonos), derived from the Greek word “Κοινωνία” which means “Community.” ΚΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ refers to the community of people that come together for a common cause. It connotes the importance of participation in community affairs that as citizens we must all participate in community affairs in order to improve social conditions, problem solve, and better plan so as to have a healthy, thriving community. On a larger scale, ΚΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ denotes that we are all members of a community, and while we have many differences we also have commonalities, the main commonality being that we are all human beings regardless of socio-economic status, gender, opportunity, or education. Revering this simple fact is a necessary mindset in order to develop the highest form of social interest and become conscious citizens who ‘see' society's plaguing issues and address them.
“We do not say that a man who takes no interest in public affairs is a man who minds his own business. We say he has no business being here at all” - Pericles
TopIntroduction
In the fall of 2017, while a rising high school Junior, I founded a school club at the American Community Schools (ACS) of Athens named ΚΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ (pronounced Kinonόs); derived from the Greek word “Κοινωνία” which means “Community”. ACS Athens is a JK-12 International school embracing American educational philosophy, principles and values. Housing more than 60 different nationalities, the ACS Athens vision is ‘empowering individuals to be architects of their own learning’ (ACS Athens website). The school culture fosters innovative ideas, both among faculty and students and believes in ‘reflective practitioners’. This means that the school has processes in place for students, faculty and staff to continuously reflect on learning, current practice and on how to turn learning into effective action. Community Service is encouraged early in school and social awareness potentially can lead to social initiatives; students initiating projects that will improve lives. Within this context my ideas harvested and eventually took form.
“ΚΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ” refers to a community of people that come together for a common cause. It connotes the importance of participation in community affairs, that as citizens we must all participate in community affairs in order to improve social conditions, problem solve and better plan so as to have a healthy, thriving community. A healthy thriving community also creates better living on the planet. On a larger scale “ΚΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ” denotes that we are all members of a community and while we have many differences we also have commonalities, the main commonality being that we are all human beings regardless of socio-econcomic status, gender, opportunity or education. Revering this simple fact develops a necessary mindset expressing the highest form of social interest while becoming responsible, reflective citizens who ‘see’ society’s plaguing issues and address them.