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Active Citizens explained
Discover what the Active Citizens programme is all about, and how participants and communities around the world can benefit
“The world is getting more crowded,” said philosopher and cultural theorist, Kwame Anthony Appiah. “Depending on the circumstances, conversations across boundaries can be delightful or just vexing. What they mainly are, though, is inevitable.”
“Globally connected, locally engaged”
In today's world, we encounter a greater variety of perspectives, cultures and communities than ever before. This is partly the result of globalisation, through which people and countries have become increasingly connected culturally, politically and economically.
The Active Citizens programme envisages a world in which these increasing connections lead to positive outcomes. A world where people feel empowered to engage peaceably and effectively with others in the sustainable development[1] of their communities.
We think this vision is important at a time when decisions taken locally can have an immediate impact globally and vice versa – whether it’s controversial Danish cartoons or decisions on the global climate, we are reminded of our interconnected lives.
Who is involved?
Active Citizens is a not-for-profit programme run by the British Council in partnership with civil society organisations who share our vision. The programme works with people who have demonstrated they have local social responsibility, including youth workers, women’s groups, educators and faith leaders. Working together, these local influencers build trust and understanding, develop skills and deliver projects on urgent themes such as poverty, literacy, democracy and climate change, and connecting local and international agendas through the programme.
So far it has reached around 80,000 Active Citizens from diverse communities in over 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Linked as part of a global network, including 21 communities from the UK, Active Citizens undertake a common learning journey that enhances their leadership, inter-cultural and project management skills.
How it works
1. A national strategy. Research identifies key national issues. For example, in some countries a key issue might be literacy, in others, environmental protection might be considered more urgent. The British Council then forms partnerships with civil society organisations (delivery partners) working in these areas, to enable the delivery of Active Citizens locally.
2. Facilitator development workshops. Delivery partners identify local facilitators. These facilitators take part in facilitator development workshops to find out more about the programme and explore approaches to delivering the programme locally.
3. Local community delivery. Local facilitators adapt and deliver local workshops to groups of Active Citizens in their communities.
4. Active Citizens work with facilitators to design and deliver social action projects in their communities.
5. Globally connected. Locally engaged Active Citizens connect to a global network through study visits and exchanges with other countries, as well as through sharing via online portals and working on joint activities with communities around the world.
All of which contributes to building a global network of locally engaged Active Citizens who have:
- A strong sense of their own culture and identity
- Knowledge and understanding of their local community
- Project planning, leadership and management skills
- Responsibility towards sustainable development
- Value for, and works effectively with, difference
More information is available from your local British Council office or delivery partner organisation.
[1] Sustainable development: ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (World Commission on Environment and Development 1987).
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