The original wording of the key competence:
‘Citizenship competence is the ability to act as responsible citizens and to fully participate in civic and social life, based on understanding of social, economic, legal and political concepts and structures, as well as global developments and sustainability.’
Suggestions for use in European youth programmes:
One of the key issues in youth work is the participation of young people in society. European youth projects relate to this competence in various ways. Local groups in youth exchanges or youth initatives act together to shape their projects and thereby practice the skills and attitudes of active participation. Volunteers spend a period of their lives in another European country or a new place with a European added value in their own country and bring impetus and ideas to institutions and communities. The international dimension of the projects offer the possibility to observe other realities in different countries, to share and compare experiences and ideas with peers from different cultures, to see own reality from a broader perspective, and to bring back that international dimension to the local reality.
Questions that can help participants to reflect:
- What did you learn about the living conditions of the young people from other countries? What was different from your situation?
- Did your perspective on Europe change? In what way?
- Which ‘European values’ do you identify with the most?
- What was the impact of the project on your local environment?
- Would you call yourself an active citizen? Why?
- How did your knowledge of local/regional/national and/or European structures change?
- How can you contribute to any social or environmental initiatives around you?
- What else would you like to improve concerning these competences?
- Do you feel more self-confident now when you want to express yourself in a foreign language? In what way?
- What else could you do to improve your skills in this area? Who and what can help you in that?