We know citizenship is more than just turning up on election day every few years. When people come together either in their geographical community or through communities of interest (on topics of concern to them) people are capable of making change happen. Many people participate in Community and Voluntary organizations and their contributions can make a difference to the issues they are trying to resolve.

We want to know what your thoughts are on how the government responds and supports Active Citizenship and community participation.

In this theme we would like you to think about the following and give us some of your thoughts:

• Has the State a role in promoting citizen participation and community learning?

• We are what we do and what we are supported to do - What can the State do to encourage and support citizen participation and learning?

• Are there examples you can share of how the State facilitates citizen engagement?

• What are the issues which lead people to become active citizens? (i.e. sporting, caring, community)

We would like to hear your experiences and thoughts as a citizen on what the government has and can do to support partnerships, build links and resource the engagement of citizens in their communities.

Share your views

Write Online

Email to activecitizen@e-consultation.org

Send a text to +353 (0) 86 209 5235

Call us on 048 9097 3685

Please read the Your Say section on our website for more information.

Recent Views

You can also read what other citizens have said about this theme by clicking on each view, and you can make a comment by using the comment form on the bottom of each view.

The Simon Communities of Ireland .

I am the Volunteer Coordinator with The Simon Communities of Ireland. My responsibilities are to our Full Time Volunteers. These are volunteers who committee to a six month placement in our communities working alongside adults experiencing homelessness. We provide our Full Time Volunteers with Accommodation Food Training Supervision and an expenses allowance. What are the barriers and what would I like [...]

Early years and citizenship

The work carried out by myself on behalf of the BCCN, will lead to more active particpation from children in settings, leading to more active citizens later in life. We begin with the youngest children trying to help practitoners see children as separate individuals with rights and responsibilities. We use listening and learning as a reflective [...]

What is Active Citizenship

Active citizenship is, I believe, a fine ideal. There are many wonderful opportunities for people to contribute as volunteers in society but community development can be a vicious nasty place. My experience is that bullying is the norm. If you disagree or try to express a different point of view to ‘the consensus’ (which is [...]

active citizenship

T Active citizenship can only come about from people’s confidence and faith that they will be heard. The Pioneer total abstinence association is involved in promoting abstinence from alcohol and drugs. Our main programme target group is the youth. We believe that an informed and faith filled [...]

Tenant Participation and Community Development

I have been involved for a number of years with Residents Associations. I am currently secretary of my local residents association and I am on a Community Development Diploma course in NUI Galway. I feel I am an active citizen as we have been involved in organising training courses for some of our residents. [...]

The State and Active Citizenship

I am uncomfortable with a "political agenda" behind the concept of active citizenship…. Living in a democracy that is more a representative than a participative one, can one realistically be an active citizen? The concept of active citizenship is used, politically, to reinforce the social norms of society, and promote the needs of those in power, [...]

What would the State?s role be in Active Citizenship

The state should actively support those working towards empowering others to become active citizens. How? By financially resourcing projects and programmes that educate and support those most disadvantaged and without a voice. Much of this has been left to the community and voluntary sector and no doubt good if not great work has been carried [...]

Voicemail from Active Citizen

My opinion on active citizenship is might government can do is to incorporate all the United Nations principals for older persons and specifically talking a bout active citizenship for older persons and if older people an able to be integrated in community they could be active citizens. The message was left at 22:25:09 on 06/03/2006 because [...]

Young Citizen Award

Year 2005 is the European year of Citizenship through Education. This award is open to young citizen aged between 15 and 25. If you are involved in an active citizenship project in your local community, whether it’s environmental work, caring for people with special needs, helping to run youth or multi-cultural initiatives, you could be eligible [...]

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