This post is a summary of many articles. The two main are: the article with the complete title of, "What is citizenship education?" Published at http://www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk/main/page.php?286. The others with the title of, "Social media and political engagement." Published at http://pewinternet.org/. The other articles came from this website, in articles published betweeen 2011 and 2013.
Citizenship education is about enabling people to make their own decisions and to take responsibility for their own lives and their communities. It is not about trying to fit everyone into the same mold or about creating a "model of citizens." The schools and universities should not simply to teach citizenship but to demonstrate it through the way they operate. WHY TEACH CITIZENSHIP?
There are elements of citizenship education in many subjects, such as English, History and Maths. But citizenship education is more than that. Democracies need active, informed and responsible citizens. Democracies depend upon citizens who, among other things, are: - Aware of their rights and responsabilities as citizens.
- Informed about social and political world.
- Concerned about the welfare of others.
- Articulate and capable of having an influence.
- Active in their communities and responsible in how they act.
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 people regardless their ability or background.
- Pervasive = not limited to schools and universities.
- Lifelong = continuing throughout life.
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.
- It enables them to make a positive contribution by developing experience needed to claim their rights and understand their responsibilities and preparing them for the adult and working life. WHAT ARE ITS ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS?
- Knowledge and understanding about topics such as: laws and rules, the democratic process, human rights, the economy, developing, justice, freedom and authority. - Critical thinking for analysing information, for taking part in discussions and debates. - Respect for justice, democracy and the rule of law, openness, tolerance, courage to defend a point of view and a willingness to work with and stand up for others.
The use of social media is becoming a feature of political and civic engagement for many Americans. A new survey by the Pew Research Center finds that 66% of social media users have done some civic or political activities with social media. These social media users have employed the platforms to post their thoughts about civic and political issues, react to others postings, press friends to act on issues, follow candidates and belong to groups formed on social networking sites. Social networking sites have grown more important in recent years as a venue for political involvement, learning and debate. The growth illustrates the increasing importance of social media sites as places where citizens can connect with political causes and issues. The Center for Technology Innovations at Brookings Institute convened a forum focused on using social media and digital tools to reinvigorate democracy and extend electronic engagement from campaigns and grassroots-activism to governance. Participants discussed strategies for voter empowerment, citizen engagement and governance transformation.
Questions examined included: What tools does government use to engage the people? How does social media improve participation and collaboration in governance? What roles should internet firms, such as facebook play in encouraging civic participation?
WHY MIGHT WE THINK THAT POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IS
DIFFERENT IN THE INTERNET ERA?
The offline world The online world
- Organizing is expensive. - Organizing is inexpensive.
- Information is scarce. - Information is abundant.
- Top-down. - Grassroots-led.
- Appeals from authority. - Appeals from friends.
- Conducted in a specific place/time. - Conducted any place/time.
- Communication is largely one-way. - Facilitates for two-way conversations.
- Difficult for citizens to self-organize. - Self-organization is a principle.
- Personal conversations is limited. - Connections not limited by geography.
