Shift 4

Activate Citizenship

Encourage and support citizenship by redefining individuals' and organisations' civic rights and obligations to contribute to the common good on a local and global scale, and increase opportunities for people to participate in society.

Citizenship is associated with equality before the law, freedom from arbitrary rule, freedom of speech and a basic sense of human dignity. It is a powerful term that evokes both the rights that citizens may claim and, equally, the responsibilities they have towards the common good. This shift recognises the central importance of our citizenship to our ability to achieve the collective actions which are required to become more sustainable.

This shift provides emphasis on:

  • Active citizenship
  • Expanding the boundaries of citizenship
  • Emerging forms of citizenship
  • Expanding our democracy
  • Broadening our leadership
  • The public sector's role in activating citizenship.

Active Citizenship

Active citizenship is the concept of giving back to our communities and leaving positive legacies for those who come after us. An active citizen is one who exercises both their rights and responsibilities in a balanced way, in an individual, group or organisation setting. Unlike civic rights which are set in law, civic responsibilities are generally voluntary. They are wide-ranging and include taking part in democratic decision-making processes, volunteer work and acting in a manner that increases the well-being of others and the environment.

Expanding the Boundaries of Citizenship

In an increasingly interdependent world, we can define and act as global as well as local citizens. This stems from an understanding that sustainability will not be achieved if we do not address issues such as poverty and resource scarcity on a global scale.

Emerging Forms of Citizenship

In the past, citizenship has been defined in terms of individuals' relationships with the state or in terms of their relationship to each other or the community. According to this model, good citizens vote, pay taxes, obey the law and undertake various required civic duties such as jury service. In the community-based model, good citizens also volunteer, know and care for their neighbours, and are trustworthy and trusting.

Expanding Our Democracy

A key purpose of local government in New Zealand is "to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities," (s.10(a) LGA 2002).  Declining participation in local government elections witnessed in recent years should be a cause for serious concern because it indicates fading engagement of citizens,  and will ultimately undermine the legitimacy of public agencies at a local level.

To reverse declining rates of participation, greater effort and respect should be afforded to existing engagement mechanisms, such as community consultation procedures, while additional approaches to engagement should also be adopted. Approaches might include citizens' panels, citizens' juries, local reference groups, community forum and wisdom councils.

Broadening Our Leadership

Broad and open leadership structures are required if citizenship and democracy are to remain meaningful concepts. To achieve such structures, agencies and organisations in both the public and community sector are required to always be inclusive and to actively identify and nurture emerging leaders. Attempts should also be made to ensure that decision-making processes do not destroy or undermine trust and relationships.

The Public Sector's Role in Activating Citizenship

Governments around the world have taken action to increase active citizenship. For example, the British Government launched a citizenship programme several years ago. Citizenship education is now compulsory in UK schools up to age 14, and is often available as an option beyond that age. In Scotland active citizenship has become one of three major themes of community policy since 1998.

In Auckland the public sector could increase active citizenship through:

  • Enabling equal participation in democratic processes.
  • Building the capacity of local leaders, fund and provide support to community led projects.
  • Increasing the transparency of decision-making processes and devolve decision-making.
  • Encouraging corporate citizenship and being corporate citizens through triple bottom line reporting and triple top line design.
  • Putting people at the heart of solutions.