Making the World a Better Place as Active Citizens

Active Citizenship

As human beings, we should become “active citizens.” What is an "active citizen"? Let us break down the two words. 

To be "active” means “to be engaged in action; characterized by energetic work, participation; having the power of quick motion; lively.”

Active is directly from Latin ‘activus,’ from ‘actus.’ As "capable of acting" (opposed to passive), from late 14^th century. Meaning "energetic, lively" is from 1590s and that of "working, effective, in operation" is from 1640s.

The opposite of “active” is spectator or passive. A spectator expects someone else to do something. A spectator complains about anything, gives excuses for not doing something and blames anyone except him/herself. 

A citizen is one who belongs to unit or location. Citizenship is about “the interdependence alongside rights and responsibilities” and belonging and is associated with and is an emphasis of the virtues of participation, deliberative engagement, awareness of mutual inter-dependence and freedom.

Life is “never about what can be done for us (while we are spectators or passive). Its about what can be done by us together through the hard and frustrating, but necessary work of” active citizenship (Barack Obama's 2012 Presidential Acceptance Speech).

We are full citizens of our families, residential and cultural communities, country and world and we should be active ones. Being an "active citizen" means to:

1.    Engage - to involve oneself or become occupied,

2.    Participate - to take part, be or become actively involved,

3.    Get involved - to make oneself to take part in or feel part of it.

We are all born spectators and passive human beings for the common greater good, but with effort, willingness and readiness, everyone can become an active citizen. This community, country and world is our only place to live and this is our only life to live. Therefore, we need to pay close attention to solutions to the unique problems in our communities to build a better and peaceful community and world and creating global impact.

Based on the JCI Creed,

·  Active Citizenship Principle 1. Affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every human being

·  Active Citizenship Principle 2. Affirm and promote the interdependent and intricate connection of all humanity

·  Active Citizenship Principle 3. Rely on rationality to understand and deal with social matters and life concerns.

·  Active Citizenship Principle 4. Organise society based on human worth, moral agency and responsibility; and

Active Citizenship Principle 5. Develop society based on merit (i.e. developed ability or skill), effort and performance.

The core attributes of being an active citizen are to be underpinned by integrity in our individual conduct; dutifulness or responsibility to what is expected of us with fervency and strong eagerness; and better and sustainably improving standards of service. This is in respect to our active duties to oneself and in our families, communities and country.

When one is an active citizen, the following are the civic responsibilities or duties: 

1.    Respect for the law and national symbols

2.    Being informed and be attentive to public issues 

3.    Critical mindedness (having the inclination to question, examine and explore the validity of various situations and positions including one's own)

4.    Monitoring the performance of political leaders, public officials and government agencies

5.    Registering to vote and voting knowledgeably on candidates and issues

6.    Assuming public duties when appropriate

7.    Compassion (having concern for the well-being of others, especially for the less fortunate)

8.    Civility (treating other persons and their views respectfully) 

9.    Paying government taxes 

10. Pursue continuous learning to the best of one's ability because life is like an ocean 

11. Maintain a stable, safe and clean family and social environment  

(Derived from Thomas Janoski, "Citizenship and Civil Society" (Cambridge University Press, 1998)

Our families, education system and citizenship-based voluntary associations should instill and develop "much about life, civic duty and graceful self-expression.”

In your activities, then be guided by the JCI Active Citizenship Framework