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What is an Active Citizen?
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Have
You...
Ever helped a neighbour with their shopping?
Taken part in a campaign to change or improve something
in your neighbourhood?
Answered a questionnaire about the quality of a public
service you receive?
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Are
You...
Involved in community events?
A volunteer for a charity or group?
A trustee, school governor or management committee member?
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If
you can answer 'YES' to any of the questions above then, though
you may not realise it, you are an active citizen!
Active
citizenship is about being involved in your community, having
your say and taking part in decisions that affect you. Above
all, it's about people making things happen. This often means
taking the opportunity to be actively involved in tackling
the things that need to change around you. As a result you
will be able to improve the quality of life in your local
community.
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MYTH
BUSTER
Active
citizenship is NOT about nationality. You do NOT need
to
be a British national or hold a UK passport to be active.
All you need is a desire to see your community change
or improve and lots of enthusiasm!
For
example, Safia Ahmed came to the UK from Somalia. She
has found herself involved in lots of community activities
including being on the management committee of the SE5
Forum in Camberwell and as a Somali-English interpreter
working on an Advocacy project on a local estate. Safia
said:
“Local
people and especially Somalis
are just not represented enough
when decisions are made
about Camberwell and I want
to speak out on behalf of them.”
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