COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Not many college students think about goals for their entire generation and work to see them realized. But Josh Goldstein, a University of Maryland senior, saw a lesson in the 9/11 tragedy and determined it is up to his generation to make a difference in the world.

Pursuing a vision of Generation Y becoming more globally connected and civically engaged, Goldstein went on a fact-finding trip to Uganda, planned a day to celebrate global citizenship and helped create a mission for civic engagement and leadership on campus. He is currently working to improve living conditions of displaced refugees in Uganda.

In recognition of his efforts, Goldstein, a Rockville native, was recently honored with two significant awards. He received the national Howard R. Swearer Humanitarian Award, annually given by Campus Compact to five college students who exhibit outstanding public service and the ability to implement a program that assists an issue within a community. Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities dedicated to advancing campus-based civic engagement.

The John A. Cade Scholarship for Public Leadership was awarded to Goldstein by Maryland's James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership. The scholarship is given in honor of Senator Cade to a student who exemplifies his legacy of public service and leadership.

Goldstein has taken the lead to help make Generation Y the first to use technology to actively connect with and learn about the world beyond their borders. "We can become a serious force in advocating to end conflict. It can easily be done through today's technology and cheap airfare," he said.

After 9/11 his freshman year, Goldstein said he realized his peers would have to think outside the United States' borders to survive and thrive in a changing world. He believes civic engagement is a key to understanding our place in the world.

Goldstein exemplifies the trend of young adults becoming civically involved. The government and politics major has given countless hours to others, through service and education, during his time at Maryland. He organized the first Interdependence Day at the university, founded the campus' Project Namuwongo Relieve Zone B chapter, and is vice president of membership for the South and Northeast U.S. chapters of Americans for Informed Democracy.

President Dan Mote promoted Goldstein's accomplishments in recommending him for the Swearer Award. "[Josh] understands and practices leadership as the art of bringing people together to create positive action to address shared agendas. He lives his belief that our world is interdependent and has begun what will undoubtedly be a lifelong assumption of his unique role in making it a better one."

In January Goldstein traveled to Kampala, Uganda as a Student Global Ambassador for Project Namuwongo Zone B. The students learned about the dire living conditions in the community and encouraged youngsters with strong leadership ability to become advocates.

Namuwongo Zone B is located in Ugandan's capitol city, Kampala. Large portions of the 4,000 residents were internally displaced by the conflict in northern Uganda. Namuwongo suffers from contaminated spring water, their main source for drinking water, and improper drainage systems, which breed mosquitoes and flood settlements.

Goldstein is using the $1,500 Swearer Award to set up a micro-finance project to give Ugandans $50 to $100 grants to help solve these problems and better the community. He is also helping coordinate a Global Summit in July to bring together 100 college-age students (50 Americans and 50 Ugandans) to create a declaration that will suggest fresh solutions for peace in northern Uganda.

To help Maryland students realize their obligation to creating and sustaining a peaceful world, Goldstein organized the first annual Interdependence Day at the university on Sept. 12, 2003.

Goldstein approached Barbara Jacoby, director of the Office of Community Service-Learning at Maryland, about his idea. "Josh wanted people to realize we are globally interdependent. He is committed to helping his generation make the world a better place because it is getting smaller," Jacoby said.

Jacoby cites Goldstein as an example of how students are becoming more civically engaged. She says a majority of university students are civic-minded and they are expressing their civic engagement through service learning. "My vision is for UM students to graduate feeling empowered as civically engaged citizens, scholars and leaders," she said.

After graduation in May, Goldstein will continue his efforts. He plans to open a public relations firm with one other student to encourage investment and development by Americans in East Africa. "The firm will support our work connecting American students with issues of global citizenship. It is important to sustain our non-profit work with ethical business ventures," said Goldstein.