About
Active Citizenship is the positive contribution of citizens to the development of society on a local, regional or national level. We can define the space given to society on which active citizenship can impact as being a public space which has the state space, the family space and the economic space as its borders.
In this public space, people can take action to engender their joint aspirations and goals. Coexisting in this public space are the non-Governmental organisations, the charities, the clubs and societies as well as voluntary organisations, associations and services which together impact on the day to day life of citizens.
Educational organisations, parenting and advice and guidance services have direct impact on developing the concepts of active citizenship, while groups supporting equality, age, race, diversity and gender are helping the region make a real difference in integrating citizens from all backgrounds.
Smaller or more diverse organisations also contribute to active citizenship: Informal groups or organised societies which people join, enable the interaction of their members and the spread of ideas. Some of these groups engender support and pressure in the surrounding spaces of:
- The state - through a petition, or attendance at a council meeting, or a discussion with an MP or a councillor
- The family - through counselling or via courses, or parenting support (for example)
- The economic environment - through interaction with retailers and traders, through buying groups, money management groups, or by internet trading