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Who is an active citizen?

Active citizen

Good neighbor

Community activist

Manage volunteer

Consulted citizen

Is this an active citizen?

Active citizens:

• Active citizens are those who develop

the skills, knowledge and understanding

to be able to make informed decisions

about their communities and

workplaces with the aim of improving

the quality of life.

• An active citizen may challenge the

rules and existing structures

although they should generally stay

within the bounds of democratic

processes and not become involved

in violent acts.

Active Democratic citizen

respect

openness

tolerance

courage

listen

work

• Active Citizenship is a form of

literacy (1) : coming to grips with

what happens in public life,

developing knowledge,

understanding, critical thinking and

independent judgment of local,

national, global levels.

Characteristics of Active Citizenship:

• Participation in the community

(involvement in a voluntary activity

or engaging with local government

agencies)

• It implies action and empowerment,

i.e. acquiring knowledge, skills and

attitudes, being able and willing to

use them, make decisions, take

action individually and collectively.

• People are empowered to play a part

in the decisions and processes that

affect them, particularly public

policy and services

• Knowledge and understanding of the

political/social/economic context of

their participation so that they can

make informed decisions.

• Able to challenge policies or

actions and existing structures on

the basis of principles such as

equality, inclusiveness, diversity

and social justice.

What is Citizenship Education?

Citizenship Education

“understanding civic duties and responsibilities are essential components of any social studies curriculum”.

• "Citizenship education is essential for

preparing young people for our shared

democratic life."Democratic Life coalition, 2010

• "It's the job of the education system to

prepare our young people for the

challenges and opportunities of a

changing world."Rekha Bhakoo CBE, Headteacher, Newton Farm School (Top Performing Primary School in England, 2011)

*Citizenship education is about

enabling people to make their own

decisions and to take responsibility for

their own lives and their communities.

• "Citizenship is more than a subject. If

taught well and tailored to local needs, its

skills and values will enhance democratic

life for all of us, both rights and

responsibilities, beginning in school and

radiating out."Bernard Crick, National Curriculum Citizenship, 1999

Why teach citizenship?

Democracies need active, informed and responsible citizens; citizens who are willing and able to take responsibility for themselves and their communities and contribute to the political process.

Democracies depend upon citizens

who:

• aware of their rights and responsibilities as citizens;

• informed about the social and political world;

• concerned about the welfare of others;

• articulate in their opinions and arguments;

• capable of having an influence on the world;

• active in their communities;

• responsible in how they act as citizens.

If citizens are to become genuinely

involved in public life and affairs, a

more explicit approach to citizenship

education is required. This approach

should be:

• Inclusive: An entitlement for all

young people regardless of their

ability or background;

• Pervasive: Not limited to schools

but an integral part of all

education for young people;

• Lifelong: Continuing throughout

life.

*And, as Democratic Life points out, citizenship is the only subject in the national curriculum that teaches about the way democracy, politics, the economy and the law work.

Citizenship issues are:

• real: actually affect people's lives;

• topical: current today;

• sometimes sensitive: can affect

people at a personal level,

especially when family or friends

are involved;

• often controversial: people

disagree and hold strong opinions

about them;

• ultimately moral: relate to what

people think is right or wrong,

good or bad, important or

unimportant in society.

How does it benefit young people?

• It helps them to develop self-

confidence and successfully deal

with significant life changes and

challenges such as bullying and

discrimination;

• It gives them a voice: in the life of

their schools, in their communities

and in society at large;

• It enables them to make a positive

contribution by developing the

expertise and experience needed to

claim their rights and understand

their responsibilities and preparing

them for the challenges and

opportunities of adult and working

life.

Who else does it benefit?

• "Citizenship is becoming a cornerstone

subject in our education system, and

rightly so. It is a gateway to a more

inclusive society."Stephen Twigg, former Education Minister

• Citizenship also brings benefits for schools,

other educational organizations and for

society at large.

• For schools and other educational

organizations, it helps to produce

motivated and responsible learners, who

relate positively to each other, to staff and

to the surrounding community.

• For society it helps to create an active

and responsible citizenry, willing to

participate in the life of the nation and

the wider world and play its part in the

democratic process.

What are its essential elements?

Citizenship education involves a wide range of different elements of learning, including:

• Knowledge and understanding: About topics such as: laws and rules,

the democratic process,;

• the media, human rights, diversity,

money and the economy,

sustainable development and

world as a global community; and

about concepts such as democracy,

justice, equality, freedom,

authority and the rule of law

• Skills and aptitudes: Critical thinking, analyzing information, expressing opinions, taking part in discussions and debates, negotiating, conflict resolution and participating in community action;

• Values and dispositions: Respect for

justice, democracy and the rule of

law, openness, tolerance, courage to

defend a point of view and a

willingness to: listen to, work with

and stand up for others.

The most effective form of learning in citizenship education is:

• active: emphasizes learning by

doing;

• interactive: uses discussion and

debate;

• relevant: focuses on real-life issues

facing young people and society

• critical: encourages young people

to think for themselves;

• collaborative: employs group work

and co-operative learning;

• participative: gives young people a

say in their own learning.

I regain my knowledge about how to

manipulate PowerPoint presentation.

I learned that every person can become a

good citizen.

I learned that being active in learning leads

us to become active citizen.

I learned that being an active citizen leads us

to help other people.

I learned that education system is significant to every people. It leads people to exercise real essence of democracy.

I learned that education system prepare us to become aware and ready for our future life and develop us to be an active citizen.

I learned that a nation occupied by numbers of active citizens leads to have peaceful and a progressive country.

After knowing the meaning and activities of an active citizen made me realized the value of education. It made me acquire and polish my personality. Having a well rounded personality, it lead us to be a model in this complex world. I pray that other people would also realize the value of education in their lives so that they would reflect it in their communities . Thank you. God bless!

References:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXzRHbISFW0

http://64.19.142.11/i1.ytimg.com/vi/pcOavTlX3eA/mqdefault.jpg

http://www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk/main/page.php?286

http://www.faceitproject.org/active_citizenship.htm