Citizenship will become a compulsory part of the National Curriculum from September 2002, but what will it involve, and, just as importantly, what do young people think? Here, journalists from Children's Express report from a national conference - The British : Who are we? - held at Firth Park Community College in Sheffield.
| Being a citizen means caring for our neighbours, next door, next street, next village, town, city and county. |
It was attended by politicians from all the main parties, including Government minister Michael Wills and LibDem city council cabinet member for education Sylvia Anginotti.
Politicians cannot afford to be careless with their words in public.
When the Government Education Minister for ICT, Michael Wills, announced at the recent Identity and Citizenship conference at Firth Park Community College, he would rather young people vote Conservative than not at all, there were amused and surprised glances among the student audience.
Such a statement should come as no shock. Politicians are quickly waking up to the fact that today's young people are tomorrow's active voters, and that the role of citizenship in the education of the young is an increasingly important one.
| | Tomorrow’s World Young delegates have their say on citizenship. | | "Being British is part of my heritage, part of my culture. It's what my parents represent, it's my language, it's where I live. It's a lot about being me, and the way I can choose to live my life. History is an essential part of us. You can draw on particular parts you agree with, such as the Suffragette movement." Kat Winter, 17, Tapton School | | "I think there was far too much emphasis on British citizenship, British identity rather than personal identity. I don't think of myself first as being British. I associate myself with people who listen to the same music, have the same political persuasions, wear the same clothes." Claire Fowler, 17, Silverdale School | | "Citizenship should involve what it is to be a good citizen in a community, what it is to contribute. Being British means very little to me. People should be civil, should try and get along and help each other. That's what being a citizen should be all about." Dudley Rees, 17, King Edward VII School | | "This was my first taste of meeting politicians and listening to them, although I try to follow what is happening in the media. They all talked longer than they were meant to! It was clear that the forthcoming election was a big deal to them and they could not resist trying to score points from one each other." Emma Barker, 15, Wisewood School | | "History has taught us a lot about who we are as British citizens. But being labelled British makes me feel as though I have to be loyal to Britain, whereas I want the opportunity to be able to live in other countries, experiencing different cultures, and live a different life." Danielle White, 15, Firth Park Community College | |
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Citizenship will become a compulsory element of the educational curriculum from September 2002. The programmes of study will include a focus on rights and responsibilities, the world as a global community, and, among other issues, the electoral system.
The debate at Firth Park, one of four being held nationally, was intended to open up discussion among students from 13 Sheffield schools and colleges about personal and national character. Although the debate focused on such issues as British compared to European identity and the value of history in shaping national consciousness, for the many young people present, personal and global awareness were more important than national loyalties.
Trapped
Ellie Tuckett, a 16-year-old student from King Edward VII school, pointed out: "I feel quite trapped by the thought of only belonging to Britain. I want to get out and be part of the world, not just of one country."
Michael Wills, himself from an Irish and Austro-Jewish background, emphasized, in his opening presentation, the multicultural influences that have shaped and continue to shape the world of 21st century Britain.
"Our national identity continues to change and evolve. We are living in a world of global consciousness," he said.
This sense of far-reaching identity was well expressed by Isadora Aiken, General Manager of Sadacca, the Afro-Caribbean community network, who was also at the conference. Isadora came to Britain in 1967 to join her parents, and feels strongly the extended sense of community.
"I am a Jamaican woman who has strong values and ambitions," she said. "For me, being a citizen means that I must adopt a sense of responsibility, regardless of whether they are known or unknown. It means caring for our neighbours, next door, next street, next village, town, city, and county."
Michael Wills' earlier words about voting for the Tories came in the same week that veteran 75-year-old Tony Benn, MP for Chesterfield, made his farewell speech to the Commons. "The real danger to democracy is not that someone will burn Buckingham Palace, but that people won't vote," he said.
About the team
This article was researched and produced by David Burnham, Dawn Simmons, Katie Burrell, Laura Brunt, Jasmine Stewart, Amy Ward, Stacey Parker, Zoe Morris, Rachel Walmsley, and Kimberley Bennett. It was published in the Sheffield Star.
