Module 1: European Active Citizenship
Shaping the European Active Citizen: Raising intercultural / transcultural awareness through life skills cultivation in primary education
No. 2023-1-EL01-KA220-SCH-000158723
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
INTRODUCTION
- In this course, you will explore what it means to be an engaged, informed, and responsible member of your community and society at large.
- In today’s world, active citizenship is more important than ever. It goes beyond simply voting in elections — it involves staying informed, speaking up about issues that matter, participating in community activities, and holding leaders accountable. Whether you're interested in social justice, environmental protection, education, or public health, your voice and actions can make a difference.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
Learning Objectives
- Introduce the concept of “Active Citizenship’ and its core principles and values
- Highlight the importance of voting in maintaining democratic societies and making active citizenship a reality of everyday practice
- Familiarize learners with the concepts of participatory democracy and decision making as the most significant tools of European citizens to take initiatives and propose legislation in policies that affect their lives.
- Highlight the role of education in Active Citizenship
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a common understanding of Active Citizenship and be able to define it
- Acknowledge the history and roots of Active Citizenship
- Understand the core values of Active Citizenship
- Acknowledge the need to exercise voting rights for civic participation
- Be able to read statistical data and trends concerning Active Citizenship and identity the main factors driving these trends
- Understand the role of education in enhancing Active Citizenship
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
What is European Active Citizenship ?
- European Active Citizenship refers to the participation of individuals in the civic and democratic life of the European Union (EU), both at national and European levels. It is about being actively involved in shaping the societies we live in — not only through voting but also by engaging in community actions, public debate, volunteering, and advocacy within a European context.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
What is European Active Citizenship ?
By understanding and practicing active citizenship, you gain the power to help shape the future of your community and country. This module will give you the knowledge, confidence, and skills to become a proactive contributor to positive change.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
Why European Active Citizenship awareness is important?
European active citizenship strengthens democracy, fosters unity in diversity, and ensures that EU policies reflect the voices and needs of its citizens. It empowers individuals to help shape Europe’s future — not just as residents of their own countries, but as members of a shared European community.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
🌍 Why is it active citizenship?
- Young people are helping solve real problems
- They learn about other cultures and work with people from different countries
- They build a stronger and more united Europe by taking action
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
You’re an active citizen when you:
- Vote in elections 🗳️
- Join a youth group or volunteer project 🤝
- Speak up about issues like climate change or human rights 📢
- Help others understand their rights and responsibilities as Europeans 🇪🇺
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
It’s about being involved, informed, and working together to make Europe a better place for everyone. Through example, encouragement, and education, we can help young people grow into individuals who care about their communities, their continent, and the world.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
What is the role of the Parent/Guardian?
The role of the parent or guardian is crucial in developing European active citizenship among children. Parents are often the first and most influential teachers in a child’s life, and they help lay the foundation for values, attitudes, and behaviors that support active citizenship, encouraging:
🏡 1. Role Modeling Active Citizenship
💬 2. Encouraging Open Discussion
🌍 3. Promoting European Identity and Awareness
📚 4. Supporting Civic Education
🤝 5. Encouraging Participation and Responsibility
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
References
European Commission. (n.d.). European Union – Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. European Commission. European Union. (n.d.). Active Citizenship for the European Union. European Union. EU Youth Portal. (n.d.). Active Citizenship and the European Union. European Union. National Democratic Institute. (n.d.). Civic Education & Participation. National Democratic Institute. Online European Civic Education. (n.d.). Civic Engagement and Active Participation. European Commission. Teaching Democracy. (2020). European Citizenship Education. Teaching Democracy. The European Citizen Action Service (ECAS). (n.d.). Resources on European Citizenship. ECAS. UNICEF. (2021). Children’s Rights and Active Citizenship.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/education_en
https://europa.eu/european-union/topics/active-citizenship_en
https://europa.eu/youth/active-citizenship_en
https://www.ndi.org/our-work/civic-education-participation
https://ec.europa.eu/education/education-in-the-eu/civic-education_en
https://teachingdemocracy.eu/citizenship-european/
https://ecas.org/
https://www.unicef.org/what-we-do/childrens-rights
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
Module 1 : European Active Citizenship
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Transcript
Module 1: European Active Citizenship
Shaping the European Active Citizen: Raising intercultural / transcultural awareness through life skills cultivation in primary education
No. 2023-1-EL01-KA220-SCH-000158723
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
INTRODUCTION
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
Learning Objectives
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
Learning Outcomes
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
What is European Active Citizenship ?
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
What is European Active Citizenship ?
By understanding and practicing active citizenship, you gain the power to help shape the future of your community and country. This module will give you the knowledge, confidence, and skills to become a proactive contributor to positive change.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
Why European Active Citizenship awareness is important?
European active citizenship strengthens democracy, fosters unity in diversity, and ensures that EU policies reflect the voices and needs of its citizens. It empowers individuals to help shape Europe’s future — not just as residents of their own countries, but as members of a shared European community.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
🌍 Why is it active citizenship?
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
You’re an active citizen when you:
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
It’s about being involved, informed, and working together to make Europe a better place for everyone. Through example, encouragement, and education, we can help young people grow into individuals who care about their communities, their continent, and the world.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
What is the role of the Parent/Guardian?
The role of the parent or guardian is crucial in developing European active citizenship among children. Parents are often the first and most influential teachers in a child’s life, and they help lay the foundation for values, attitudes, and behaviors that support active citizenship, encouraging:
🏡 1. Role Modeling Active Citizenship
💬 2. Encouraging Open Discussion
🌍 3. Promoting European Identity and Awareness
📚 4. Supporting Civic Education
🤝 5. Encouraging Participation and Responsibility
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
References
European Commission. (n.d.). European Union – Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. European Commission. European Union. (n.d.). Active Citizenship for the European Union. European Union. EU Youth Portal. (n.d.). Active Citizenship and the European Union. European Union. National Democratic Institute. (n.d.). Civic Education & Participation. National Democratic Institute. Online European Civic Education. (n.d.). Civic Engagement and Active Participation. European Commission. Teaching Democracy. (2020). European Citizenship Education. Teaching Democracy. The European Citizen Action Service (ECAS). (n.d.). Resources on European Citizenship. ECAS. UNICEF. (2021). Children’s Rights and Active Citizenship.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/education_en
https://europa.eu/european-union/topics/active-citizenship_en
https://europa.eu/youth/active-citizenship_en
https://www.ndi.org/our-work/civic-education-participation
https://ec.europa.eu/education/education-in-the-eu/civic-education_en
https://teachingdemocracy.eu/citizenship-european/
https://ecas.org/
https://www.unicef.org/what-we-do/childrens-rights
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”