Civil and democratic citizenship

1. 01 Step

   Purpose

   C5 brings the rights, participation and civil-society dimensions of democratic citizenship down to ages 14–18. The EUROPE-IDEA e-book (Democratic and Social Citizenship Education) centres the informed citizen, public debate and government accountability. The aim is to present the EU-citizenship routes of voting, representation, petition and the European Citizens’ Initiative in the same session.

2. 02 Step

   Content

   EU citizenship rights and duties; voting, representation, petition and the European Citizens’ Initiative; the educational role of civil-society organisations; debates on migration and citizenship; and democracy in the digital age are taught. The balance between social rights and democratic principles is the spine of the e-book.

3. 03 Step

   Learning and teaching process

   Where possible, a civil-society organisation is visited or an event is attended. In class a short parliament simulation and the short set of “EU citizenship in 100 questions” may be used. History, social studies and citizenship may run a joint session. Brainstorming and collaborative groups are the shared C1–C5 method.

4. 04 Step

   Evaluation

   A participation plan with one civic-action pledge, a self-assessment, a trainer rubric and one proposed article for the club by-laws go into the monitoring file.

European Union values

Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union lists democracy and the protection of minorities among the Union’s values. Discussion question: if a majority decision harms a young person’s dignity, with which rights and duties does the citizen respond?

Club practice An article on monthly civic action, written by the young people, may be added to the club statute. The article follows the participation and accountability line in the EUROPE-IDEA e-book.

8 modules Related tools

8 modules

• M1 · European citizenship and European values
• M7 · Democracy and digital participation

Activity bank