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Definition of active citizenship
Definition of active citizenship
Active citizenship means people getting involved in their local communities and democracy at all levels, from towns to cities to nationwide activity. Active citizenship can be as small as a campaign to clean up your street or as big as educating young people about democratic values, skills, and participation. Active citizenship is one of the most important steps towards healthy societies.
An active citizen is quite simply anyone living within the state doing anything to express their values or working to achieve something for the common good. Active citizenship can be done individually but more often it is about collective activity and working together as part of civil society organizations, which are a manifestation of active citizenship.
Civil society is the association of people in pursuit of common interests and values through formal and informal organizations. Everything from sports clubs, student groups, and community associations to trade unions, professional representative bodies, and religious organizations are part of civil society, alongside what we understand as traditional charities.
- Civil society
- organizations express the interests and values of their members or others, based on ethical, cultural, political, scientific, religious, or philanthropic considerations.
- Civil society organizations:
- Are a legitimate expression of people exercising their fundamental human rights.
- Express interests and values.
- Are independent and autonomous.
- Involve and facilitate voluntary as well as collective action.
A strong, active, diverse, and independent community and voluntary sector thus form an essential part of a healthy democracy.
These independent organizations provide an essential public space where, in addition to supporting their own community life, private citizens can participate in tackling specific challenges, setting local, national, and international agendas, campaigning for change, and shaping the priorities of public authorities.
We need to better appreciate the vital role played by community and voluntary organizations in providing the places and spaces where people come together to pursue change, as well as their role in advocating for that change. Currently, community and voluntary organizations are advocating for environmental causes, campaigning for social justice and rights, supporting people experiencing poverty, supporting migrants, promoting the arts, and working overseas for fair trade and climate justice.
Also, the government should develop a set of rules and guidelines (such as a charter or compact) for all public authorities to follow in engaging with citizens and civil society organizations. Under such a framework, people would be empowered, individually and through organizations, to be active citizens who participate directly in deliberations about and implementation of public services.
Why Is Being an Active Citizen Important?
Active citizenship means people getting involved in their local communities and democracy at all levels, from towns to cities to nationwide activity. Active citizenship can be as small as a campaign to clean up your street or as big as educating young people about democratic values, skills, and participation. Active citizenship is one of the most important steps towards healthy societies