We can define active citizenship as full engagement in a community – this includes the right to actively participate in community life and ensure equal status of all individuals and groups. It implies interdependence of rights and duties, as well as powers and restrictions. Active citizenship means people are getting involved in their communities and are participating in democracy at all levels, from local to national and global. They organize civic initiatives – events, polls, simulations, campaigns, anything that gets people engaged. Can any citizen action be considered good for a society? History shows us how some actions can lead to or be part of undemocratic activities that can harm certain social groups. Instead, participation goes hand in hand with democratic values, mutual respect, non-violence and human rights.
Why is active citizenship important for democracy? Earlier in history the meaning of active citizenship was narrower than it is today. It referred to members of middle or higher society, stratum or class, to which access was conditioned or restricted by status or rights. The road to wider and democratic meaning of citizenship was marked by revolutions and persistent struggles in various areas led by the idea of spreading the general principles of equality and freedom. This was only achieved in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the second half of the 20th century, civil society organisations became one of the main links between citizenship and democracy.
The above webinar will be hosted by Lejla Sehic Relic President of Centre for European Volunteering (CEV), Founder and managing director of DKolektiv (Volunteer Centre Osijek, Croatia) and Croatian volunteer development centre, volunteer coordinator, civil society leader and activist since 1993, mentor for the implementation of quality insurance system for non-profit organizations, trainer and consultant for organizational development and development of quality volunteer programs in non-profit organizations. For the past 15 years, active in the development of public policy in favour to civil society and volunteerism in Croatia, in the period 2012-2014 president of the Croatian National Council for the development of volunteerism, co-author of several publications on volunteering, civil society and conflict management. University degree in public administration.
