Empowering our Citizens through Civic Education and Participation
A DAAS Member Proposal for "Reunion 2008"
"Democracy needs to be reborn in every generation, and education is the midwife" (John Dewey)
Significance
A combination of academic interest in politics, civic education and the interesting unique history and nature of my beloved country of Dominica coupled with the valuable lessons that I learnt during my own involvement in civic activities as well as those of others prompted me to submit this proposal for inclusion in the reunion 2008 celebrations. These celebrations will be a milestone in our history, the 30th anniversary of our independence from colonial Britain. It is an opportune time to embrace our sovereignty, reacquaint ourselves with our constitution, celebrate our democracy and set ourselves on the right path to true meaningful citizenship worthy of the status that we celebrate. If not now when?
Being cognizant of the fact that individuals do not automatically become responsible, civic-minded participating citizens; it becomes necessary to educate our people in preparation for active citizenship. Dominica has done something right in this direction, it is no accident that Dominica boasts an average of over 75% voter out rates, however, civic involvement does not end in the ballot box, we must take it beyond that. Innovative methods must be devised, and there must be a desire to make education for the preparation of citizenship a key component in our national development plan. Preparation for citizenship must be equally important to preparation for the work place.
It is incumbent upon those who offer themselves for leadership, and are accepted by the people, to guide the populace in the right direction by taking up the mantle with an unsurpassed determination to direct our people, young and old to that dignified and important path of responsible citizenship. It is vital that people are educated about their responsibilities as well as their rights as responsible, productive, civic-minded, proud citizens.
It is a well-researched and established fact that civic education helps students to develop positive attitudes. Students who experience high quality, consistent civic learning tend to be more tolerant of others, are much more willing to listen to points of view that differ from what they espouse to, and most importantly they take greater responsibility for their own actions including being a constructively active participant in development projects in their communities. They become more interested in politics, how it affects their lives, they tend to be much more analytical of what they read or hear in terms on national, regional and international events. A well informed citizenry though it is seldom the case must be the goal of every state. When we accomplish this as our mission, it adds value to our state enough to be the envy of other states (See www.civiced.org for research).
A country is better off when its citizenry understands how their government works. People become more capable of identifying public policies that do or do not represent their interest and that of the common good. People will be equipped to form opinions based on knowledge and facts, they will be more consistent in their views on public policies, more constructive and objective when and if they find it necessary to be critical of their government. When all this occurs the final result is guaranteed to be a public motivated to participate in development activities with no expectations or desire for rewards. The public will be more committed to the fundamental democratic principles and the values of a responsible, knowledgeable and engaged citizenry. Individuals will be officials of their own government, after all they are an integral part of it - the backbone of our democracy.
The Objectives
- Promote effective, innovative ways by utilizing our local as well as Diasporan human resources to recognize and implement civic education as a core subject in our national education plan
- Engage all segments of our society, particularly in the school system, as partners in an inclusive approach to deliver civic education.
- Build public support for and encourage participation in civic education.
- Embrace the constitution as a document that all citizens are familiar with, and aware of their rights and responsibilities
- Prepare every citizen for service and sacrifice when and if it becomes necessary
Project Implementation Methodology
This project proposal is three tiered and non-partisan:
Phase One
Phase one will be implemented during the main events week of the 30th anniversary of independence celebrations [Reunion 2008]. The main focus will be to develop a culture of civic awareness, civic participation and sovereign pride. It will also focus on embracing democracy based of knowledge.
At an appropriate time and place designated by the reunion 2008 committee the first phase will be materialized in the form of a two-hour televised, interactive forum with discussions on the constitution, the meaning of democracy, how it should work, and the importance of civic involvement.
The panel will consist of:
- Author of the recent book on the constitution Alick Lawrence
- Political science student/ or practitioner name
- Media representative name
- In-active politician name ..
- Education Representative name ..
- A moderator to facilitate ordering question and answer segment
- Live audience
- Follow-up questions will be allowed
Sample Questions
- Government by consent is what we know democracy to be, but what is consent for? What does it mean to be an independent sovereign state?
- James Madison, one of the framers of the Unites States constitution out of concern once said that "a popular Government without popular information, or means to acquire it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both." Would Madison's concern be relevant to our governments past and present, or even future?
- Do citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica have full access or means of acquiring popular information that they have every right and responsibility to obtain in our system of democracy?
Phase Two
The recorded proceedings of the discussion forum should be at a level that it could be used as a civic education tool used in high schools across the nation. In addition to this recording, the recently published book on the constitution by Alick Lawrence be instituted as mandatory reading and class discussion along with material on democracy, civic responsibility, regional and international affairs [people must be geopolitically sophisticated in order to understand the politics of their own country]. Collectively, all these should become part of the school curriculum. High school attendees should perform a minimum of fifty (50) hours of community service as a requirement for graduation. No exceptions.
Phase Three
Civic lessons and activities must be re-introduced at the primary school level starting at grade five level. Dominica must begin to embrace and utilize its human capital at home and abroad to develop the required material and assist in the implementation of such a program.
Children at primary schools should be re-introduced to performing civic activities in whatever form the teachers find appropriate in their various communities, i.e., maintaining their own school grounds and working collectively on projects they can be proud of upon their completion.
We must utilize our public airwaves and media, print, radio and televison - independent and government owned - to make this an ongoing campaign. At least once a week there should be a spot in the newspapers or on radio designated specifically for the purpose of civic education. It is the responsibility of everyone who can make a contribution to this cause, and not be left entirely to the government.
Conclusion
Someone once said that democracy is like a plant that needs to be nurtured. If we do not nurture our democracy it will fade away and the loss would be immeasurable. The way for us, Dominicans at home and abroad, to protect our democracy is not to cheer it, not to take it for granted, which we do a little too much. We ought to cherish it yes, but we must recognize and accept that were it is weak we must strive to strengthen it. We have to reform what needs to be reformed, which we do very little or nothing of.
My dear Dominican brothers and sisters, while we depend on democracy for our freedom and well-being, democracy depends on us, in our capacity and desire to be good citizens, faithful to our constitution, interested in inquiry about the strength of the pillars on which our democracy stands.
Our democracy depends on us for its survival and growth, we have to be patriotic to our country not only by raising its flag and singing our national anthem, but also by dissent when necessary, and, lastly but no less importantly, our democracy depends on what we value about and believe in our citizenship. We must empower ourselves and each other so that we are able and willing to empower the next generation through the power of knowledge.
Shirley Allan
Member of DAAS Youth Development Committee
Tel: 240-430-0655
Cell: 240-752-2989
Work: 703-533-3302 Ext. 193
