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
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.
Teachers help shape young people into active, responsible, and engaged European citizens. They do this by teaching knowledge, encouraging participation, fostering values, and inspiring action — in and beyond the classroom.
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.”
Key Features of European Active Citizenship:
- Democratic Participation
- Awareness of Rights and Responsibilities
- Cross-border Engagement
- Civic Education and Cultural Understanding
- Community Action and Volunteering
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.”
Teachers help shape young people into active, responsible, and engaged European citizens. They do this by teaching knowledge, encouraging participation, fostering values, and inspiring action — in and beyond the classroom.
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.”
👩🏫 Role of Teachers in Developing European Active Citizenship
- Teaching Civic and European Values
- Teachers help students understand core values such as democracy, human rights, equality, solidarity, and respect for diversity — which are also key values of the European Union.
- They introduce students to the concept of European identity, encouraging pride in national heritage while promoting unity and cooperation in Europe.
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.”
2. Providing Knowledge of European Institutions and Rights
- Teachers educate students about EU institutions, citizenship rights, and how European decisions affect their lives.
- They explain how students can participate in European democratic processes (like voting or the European Citizens' Initiative) when they reach the appropriate age.
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.”
3. Encouraging Critical Thinking and Debate
- Teachers create a classroom environment where students can discuss current events, express opinions, and listen to others respectfully.
- This helps students become more thoughtful, informed citizens capable of forming their own views and taking responsible 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.”
4. Promoting Participation and Engagement
- Teachers support students in joining school councils, community projects, or youth parliaments.
- They may also guide students in organizing awareness campaigns, volunteering, or participating in EU programs like Erasmus+ or eTwinning.
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.”
5. Incorporating European Perspectives into the Curriculum
- Teachers integrate European themes into subjects like history, geography, languages, and social studies.
- They highlight connections between local and global issues, encouraging students to think as both national and European citizens.
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.”
6. Serving as Role Models
- Through respectful dialogue, civic responsibility, and ethical behavior, teachers model the attitudes and actions of active citizenship.
- They show students how to be engaged members of both their local community and the European family.
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
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. Teachers help shape young people into active, responsible, and engaged European citizens. They do this by teaching knowledge, encouraging participation, fostering values, and inspiring action — in and beyond the classroom.
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.”
Key Features of 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.”
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 ?
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.”
Teachers help shape young people into active, responsible, and engaged European citizens. They do this by teaching knowledge, encouraging participation, fostering values, and inspiring action — in and beyond the classroom.
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.”
👩🏫 Role of Teachers in Developing 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.”
2. Providing Knowledge of European Institutions and 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.”
3. Encouraging Critical Thinking and Debate
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.”
4. Promoting Participation and Engagement
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.”
5. Incorporating European Perspectives into the Curriculum
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.”
6. Serving as Role Models
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.”