Civic Education/Engagment

By: Christal Satchell

Training Objective

The goal of this training is to enable students to make their own decisions

and to take responsibility for their own lives and their communities as a

citizen of the United States.

Citizenship

What is Citizenship? Citizenship is about how we live together in

our communities and how we ‘get on’ locally, nationally and globally.

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.

Why is it important?

The values of democracy, justice, equality and inclusion have been long fought ,but are easily neglected and abused.

The best way to guarantee a brighter future for all is to create a society in which we all understand our rights and responsibilities.

Citizenship in your Community

Good citizens help to make decisions about their community.

Take a look at this list of activities. Have you made a point to do any of these activities in your community?

Community Checklist

Attend a city or town council or school board meeting, or a municipal, county, or state court session.

Choose a charitable organization outside of AmeriCorps that interests you and brings people in your community together to work for the good of your community

Find out where the chief government buildings in your community are located. (City Hall, County courthouse, fire station, police station, hospitals, etc.)

Civic Education Questions

What does democracy mean?

What is a nation-state?

What is the role of the citizen in a democracy?

Democracy

The United States has had the same type of government for more than 200 years. It’s called a “representative democracy.” Among the nations of the world, it is unusual for a system of government to last so long. Most governments are based on a written set of principles, sometimes called a “constitution” or a “charter.” When citizens directly participate by voting, the government is called a “democracy

Nation-State

A nation-state refers to a single

or multiple nationalities joined

together in a formal political

union.

Citizens role in a democracy

  In a democracy, every citizen has certain basic rights that the state cannot take away from them.  These rights are internationally recognized and guaranteed. 

 Everyone has the right to have their own beliefs, including their religious beliefs, and to say and write what they think.  

Everyone has the right to associate with other people, and to form and join organizations of their own choice, including trade unions.

  Everyone has the right to assemble and to protest government actions.  However, citizens have an obligation to exercise these rights peacefully, with respect for the law and for the rights of others.

Conclusion

Throughout history, rulers and dictators have taken away people's rights. In many parts of the world today people can't worship as they please, talk freely, gather with groups of friends, or travel. If you feel that everyone is always telling you what to do and that you have no rights, you're wrong! You are protected by laws such such as the Bill of Rights. You also have their own rights, which were developed by the United Nations. It's important to know your rights and to stand up for yourself.

Questions, Concerns, Comments