What is Citizenship?
Citizenship equips young people with the knowledge and understanding to make a valuable contribution to their families, their communities and society as a whole.
Citizenship can be thought of on a personal, local, national and global level. It examines the ways in which we can be good citizens and make a valuable contribution to society. It prepares young people for the challenges and opportunities of adult life and helps build confidence and self-esteem. Citizenship education enables people to acquire the day-to-day knowledge they will use throughout their lives.
- Personal Citizenship — this deals with identity, family, friends, school, relationships etc. It is about empowering people to make decisions and to take responsibility for their own lives.
- Local Citizenship — this includes involvement in local projects, helping the elderly in your community, helping with youth projects etc. It encourages people to take an interest in the welfare of others on a community-wide level.
- National Citizenship — this involves taking an interest in your country’s politics, democracy, justice, economy and legal system and how they impact on our lives.
- Global Citizenship — this develops an understanding of how the world works politically, economically, culturally, technologically and environmentally. It promotes respect for justice and looks at ways we can all have a positive influence on the world.