ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

Presented by Graham Hanlon

JCI President 2008

Guiding Principles• Active Citizenship concerns everyone.

• We all have rights and responsibilities, and shared national, continental and global interests.

• Strong and healthy communities welcome diversity in cultural expression, values and lifestyles.

Guiding Principles• Openness, accountability and trust will

help maximize participation in the democratic and decision making process.

• A successful society depends on a partnership with citizens, civil society, unions, business, and elected representatives.

• Active Citizens are made, not born.

• Active Citizenship needs leadership.

JCI Mission• To contribute to the advancement of

the global community by providing the opportunity for young people to develop the leadership skills, Social responsibility, entrepreneurship and fellowship necessary to create positive change.

• Active Citizenship is not for someone else – it is for each one of us, as well as for government, businesses, the media, unions, and organizations (such as JCI).

• It is about how we engage with each other and create together a set of shared values for a better society .

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

• Active Citizenship refers to the voluntary capacity of citizens and communities working directly together or through elected representatives to exercise economic, social or political power in pursuit of shared goals.

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP – The Past

• Much of the fabric of today's modern society was developed by the initiative of the volunteer movement in education, health, sport, trade unions, political parties, religious groups, NGO’s, and community groups.

• Much of the social reform enjoyed by us today was promoted by voluntary groups.

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP - Today

• At the end of the 20th Century, due to various changes in society, government, recognizing the importance of the volunteer movement has become concerned about its apparent with drawl from active participation.

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP - Today

Barriers to Active Citizenship

• Time

• New work patterns

• New leisure patterns

• Changing values and choices

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP - Today

• Most people believe volunteering is declining. When asked about their own organization, 50% said it had become more difficult to recruit.

• Is Active Citizenship/Social Capital declining?

• In the US, it seems to be – Robert Putman “Bowling Alone”

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP –TodayCommentators now accept:

• The nature of volunteering is changing.• There is cynicism and lack of confidence

in democratic and consultative structures – Individuals may feel they are not genuinely listened to.

• There is a sense of unease regarding economic changes that impact on the community.

• New ways need to be developed to attract, support and recognize the role of volunteers.

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

THE INDIVIDUAL

• Join an activity or group that is working to improve your community or tackle some national or international issue

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

BUSINESS

• Develop a formal CSR program

• Support community projects or voluntary activities

• Allow staff to join various organizations

• Adopt accreditation and recognition systems

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

THE MEDIA

• Promote awareness of community activities by giving them greater local and national coverage

• Explore new ways of connecting communities

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

GOVERNMENT

• Promote Active Citizenship and work with Active Citizens

• Reinforce the ethos of public service• Promote group insurance schemes• Provide assistance to cover the cost of

meetings• Support training at the national and local

levels

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

GOVERNMENT• Provide time-off schemes• Recognize volunteer and community activity in

job applications• Introduce a national Active Citizenship theme

each year• Introduce national presidential awards to

recognize outstanding contributions to civic life• Explore new ways of connecting communities• Include citizenship in the school curriculum

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

CONCLUSION

• The institutions of democracy, the market, the State – civil society as a whole – cannot operate in a sustainable way without the practice of civic virtue and without the active participation of citizens in the community.