Hello.

My name's Ms. Ikomi, and I'm a citizenship teacher in London.

I'm gonna be taking you through today's lesson.

Today's lesson is called what can citizens do? It is part of the wider unit, how does the international community respond to global humanitarian problems? By the end of today, you will be able to explain a range of actions citizens may take to respond to global humanitarian problems. As today's topics could be seen as sensitive, we're going to discuss some ground rules for taking part in this lesson.

First of all, it's important to listen to others.

It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond.

When disagreeing, it's important that we challenge the statement, not the person.

We must respect privacy.

We can discuss examples in a general sense, but please do not use names or descriptions that identify anyone, including yourself.

We listen without passing judgement.

We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged.

And last, you can choose your level of participation.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or join in with a discussion.

We'll never put anyone on the spot.

Let's get started.

The key words we're going to hear in today's lesson are: citizenship action.

This is taking part as an active citizen.

An active citizen is a person who actively takes responsibility, becomes involved in areas of public concern, and tries to make a positive difference in their community.

Refugee.

This is a person who's been forced to leave their home due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted.

Demonstration.

This is a public meeting or march protesting against a specific issue.

We're going to start by thinking about how have citizens responded to the war in Ukraine? Major ongoing conflicts in the world today include the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Israel-Palestine conflict.

These conflicts cause global humanitarian problems that affect millions of people, not just in those countries.

People around the world can respond in many ways by taking citizenship action to support those affected, raising awareness, and also helping refugees.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

It is an ongoing as of 2025.

Following Russia's invasion, refugees fled Ukraine to nearby safe countries, including, by the end of April, 2022, Poland Ukraine's closest neighbour had taken in over 1.

5 million refugees.

As of April, 2025, there are approximately 6.

9 million Ukrainian refugees globally, of around which 6.

3 million are in Europe.

The reason most people are in Europe is because when people flee, they tend to stay in countries and communities that are closer to where they started.

In early 2022, the UK government initially issued a limited number of visas for Ukrainian refugees.

The government, however, faced criticisms for making the process too complicated and for turning some refugees away at the border.

In March, 2022, the government launched the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

This allowed British citizens to sponsor a Ukrainian refugee or refugee family by offering them a place to live in their homes.

Let's do a check of what we've learned so far.

What was the name of the UK government scheme that offered Ukrainian families a safe place to live? Was it A, Ukraine Shelter Support.

B, Safe Ukraine Programme.

Or C, Homes for Ukraine? Pause your video and choose your answer now.

The correct answer is C.

Under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, people could register to host Ukrainian refugees in their homes.

Hosts were matched to refugees often with help from the local authorities.

The government provided a monthly payment of 350 pounds to hosts as a contribution towards living costs, things like rent.

The National Audit Office reported that by 2023, 248,000 people had expressed an interest in hosting a refugee family.

73,759 citizens went on to apply to host a refugee under the scheme.

As of August, 2023, 131,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in the UK under the scheme.

In addition to this, the Welsh and Scottish devolved governments have supported approximately 23,398 refugees as of August, 2023.

Alex is telling us a really important factor about this.

"If ordinary citizens had not been so generous, then the UK may not have been able to accommodate this number of refugees." Demonstrating to us the importance of citizenship action and normal people getting involved.

Let's do another check.

How many refugees have been supported by the Homes for Ukraine scheme by August, 2023? Pause your video and choose your answer now.

The correct answer is B.

Polling from March, 2023 found that 71% of people believed that the UK taking in more than 150,000 Ukrainian refugees was a good thing compared to 16% who thought it was a bad thing.

81% of hosts from the scheme had a positive experience.

88% were glad they took part in the scheme.

Many hosts stated that they received lots of supports from other citizens creating networks of support such as clubs that refugees could therefore attend.

However, some hosts also stated that they did not receive as much support from the government.

A recent report by the organisation More in Common, based on a survey of over 1,200 people who took part in the Homes for Ukraine scheme, shows that the programme generally worked well in its first year.

Hosts express a strong sense of purpose and fulfilment.

They highlighted the positive connections made with both guests and others involved in refugee support.

Some hosts noted the unique challenges of caring for unaccompanied minors, particularly teenagers, whilst also recognising shared traits across cultures.

Let's do another check.

I'd like you to read the sentences below and fill in the blanks.

Pause your video and have a go at this now.

Let's check our answers.

In 2022, millions of Ukrainians were forced to flee their country because of war.

Many became refugees living in neighbouring European countries.

Under the Homes For Ukraine scheme, UK citizens could host a Ukrainian refugee or refugee family, by offering them a place to live in their home.

This is an example of a citizenship action.

We are going to do a longer task to put this into practise.

I'd like you to evaluate the statement considering both points of view.

During the ongoing war in Ukraine, British citizens have played an important role in helping Ukrainian refugees.

Pause your video and have a go at this now.

I asked you to evaluate the statement, during the ongoing war in Ukraine, British citizens have played an important role in helping Ukrainian refugees.

You might have said, "During the ongoing war in Ukraine, UK citizens have played a very important role in helping Ukrainian refugees.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the UK government launched the Homes for Ukraine scheme, which depended on the ordinary citizens taking part and offering Ukrainian refugees place to live.

More than 73,000 people registered to host Ukrainian refugees or refugee families.

And in total, as of August, 2023, 131,000 Ukrainian refugees have come to the UK.

Many hosts have reported positive experiences of the scheme so far.

81% said it went well, and 88% were glad to have taken part.

This shows citizens are willing to help and that citizenship action can make a real difference.

As we're evaluating, we have to also think about the other side.

While UK citizens are helping Ukrainian refugees in the ongoing conflict, their role is one part of the UK's overall response.

The government were responsible for creating the scheme and for providing the structure and funding to make it possible.

Hosts received 350 pounds a month to support with costs, and without their support, some hosts might not be able to take part.

Additionally, while over 248,000 citizens expressed an interest in hosting, only around 73,000 followed through with registering, which suggests that the role of citizens is less significant in helping Ukrainian refugees.

Furthermore, compared to countries like Poland, which took in over 1.

5 million Ukrainian refugees quickly, the UK's response was more limited.

This suggests that government policy and international coordination matter just as much if not more than citizenship actions of individuals.

Next, we're going to think about how are citizens responding to the Gaza conflict.

The Gaza conflict is part of a long running Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In October, 2023, violence escalated in the region following attacks by Hamas and a military response from Israel.

The conflict has caused widespread humanitarian issues prompting citizens and governments worldwide to respond in various ways.

Andeep's telling us, "Global events can be difficult because citizens can feel like they're no longer in control.

They may feel upset or angry about what they're seeing on the news and have no way of responding." Sofia's saying, "Citizens are not powerless.

Citizenship action means that citizens become active and engage in issues affecting them and their community." Citizenship action can look different depending on the issue.

Citizens might take part in small scale events such as litter picking or speaking at a local council meeting.

Other citizenship actions might be much bigger.

For example, taking part in a peaceful demonstration or protest to ensure that the public are aware of the issue and try to get the government to take notice.

Let's do a quick check.

True or false? Citizenship action is always the same type of act.

Pause your video now.

The correct answer is false.

This is because action varies dependent on the issue people are engaging with.

Sometimes they might do small scale actions like attending meetings, and sometimes they might be bigger, such as a peaceful public demonstration.

Following the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, people across the UK have responded in different ways.

Some have held vigils and demonstrations calling for the return of Israeli hostages and have shown support for Israel.

Others have taken part in protests expressing solidarity with Palestinians and have called for an end to Israeli military action in Gaza.

The largest pro-Palestinian demonstration was held in London on 11th of November, 2023, approximately 300,000 people attended.

These demonstrations have attracted a range of different views.

Some have said the protests and counter protests have made them feel unsafe.

In October, 2023, the then home secretary Suela Braverman, described the pro-Palestinian demonstrations as hate marchers.

During the November, 2023 protests and counter protests, 126 people were arrested.

Others have argued that demonstrations are an important feature of a democracy and the citizens should be free to express their views even if members of the government disagree.

Let's do a check.

Approximately how many citizens attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London in November, 2023? Pause your video and choose your answer now.

The correct answer is C.

London has not been the only location for demonstrations.

Demonstrations have also taken place at universities across the UK with students leading peaceful protests such as campus encampments, and protest outside university offices.

These demonstrations aim to raise awareness of the Gaza conflict and to challenge university policies such as links to weapons research connected to Israel.

Demonstrations have also occurred in Israel with participants expressing frustration over the Israeli government's slow response to returning hostages held by Hamas.

For instance, in November, 2024, families of hostages held a protest in Tel Aviv to raise awareness of their concerns.

Similar protests have taken place around the world.

True or false, UK students have led peaceful protests at universities to raise awareness of the Gaza conflict and to challenge policies,? Pause the video and choose your answer now.

The correct answer is true.

This is because across the UK, university students have been carrying out peaceful demonstrations, including protests outside of offices and campus encampments to raise awareness of the ongoing conflict.

Let's do another task to put this into practise.

Using the example of the ongoing Gaza conflict, outline how demonstrations can be effective citizenship actions.

Pause the video and should do your answer now.

I asked you to explain how demonstrations can be effective citizenship actions.

You might have said, "Demonstrations are an important form of citizenship action that allows citizens to express their views on national and global issues.

Citizens use demonstrations to raise awareness of humanitarian problems, and to try to influence government decisions.

For example, in London, approximately 300,000 people joined a protest related to Israel's actions in Gaza in November, 2023.

Similarly, families of hostages taken by Hamas held protest in Tel Aviv in November, 2024, to express their frustrations with the Israeli government's response.

Demonstrations and peaceful protests are key ways citizens can participate in democracy, by sharing their opinions and holding governments accountable." Next, we're going to think about do citizens actions make a difference? Lucas is asking, "Do citizens actions really make a difference? It isn't like politicians listen to us!" Aisha's telling us, "Citizenship action is really important because if we are passive about important issues, the government may do nothing.

Our actions may help to convince politicians to do things." Citizenship action can make a difference.

Politicians understand that they're elected by citizens during elections.

As such, if the majority of voters disagree with them, they may not vote for them again.

For example, in the 2024 general election, some candidates lost votes because of their views on the Gaza conflict with seats changing hands due to candidates holding different views.

Citizenship action, therefore, might not always make a difference.

Even when politicians lose vote, government policies may continue without major shifts.

Izzy's reminding us, "General elections must happen at least every five years.

However, this can make change very slow as we have a big gap between those periods of time." Let's do a quick check of what we've done so far.

How often must general elections take place in the UK? Pause your video and choose your answer now.

The correct answer is five.

In between this time, citizens can also make direct and tangible differences to people.

For example, we've seen things like the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

There are also other voluntary actions that have helped refugees to settle in their new life in Britain.

Citizens can also make a difference by demonstrating, such as the 300,000 people who protested in London in 2023, to raise awareness of the Gaza conflict.

These direct actions, whether large or small, can make a big difference to people in their lives in between elections.

Citizenship action might not always make a difference.

Protests and demonstrations can divide public opinion.

People might disagree with the methods used or even the reasons behind the protests.

For example, a YouGov survey conducted in August, 2023 suggests that the environmental group, Just Stop Oil, lost public support because of the disruptions to the roads and transports as a result of their actions.

Whilst 82% agreed with their cause, 68% did not support their methods.

True or false? Protests and demonstrations always make a difference.

Pause your video and choose your answer.

The correct answer is false.

This is because demonstrations, like all citizenship action, may or may not have an impact.

People might disagree with the reasons for the demonstration or they may agree with it but disagree with the method or way of demonstrating.

Let's do a final task to put into practise what we have learned in today's lesson.

I'd like you to examine the perspective, "Voting is the only way to make a difference." Pause your video and have a go at this now.

I asked you to examine the perspective that voting is the only way to make a difference.

You might have said, "Voting is an important way for citizens to take action.

It's an important part of a healthy democracy to ensure all citizens to vote.

When there are controversial issues, citizens can use voting to express their support or disagreement with the government.

For example, in the 2024 general election, some constituents who felt their MPs had not been supportive enough of the people in Gaza voted for alternative candidates.

On the other hand, general elections must be held at least every five years in the UK, so citizens can only vote within this timeframe.

This limits how often they can influence government decisions.

Between elections, citizens can take other actions such as attending peaceful demonstrations to express their views on government policy.

Demonstrations can gain public support and increase in size, but citizens must be careful not to lose that support.

For example, despite many people agreeing with the issue highlighted by Just Stop Oil protests, they disagreed with their disruptive methods." Today, we have been learning about what can citizens do.

We have learned that citizens play an important role in responding to global humanitarian problems through various citizenship actions.

For example, the Homes for Ukraine scheme is an example of citizenship action, where UK citizens have provided shelter to over 130,000 Ukrainian refugees.

Another example is citizens responding to the ongoing Gaza conflict by holding demonstrations in the UK, Israel, and around the world.

These include marches calling for a ceasefire, support for Palestinians affected by the conflict, as well as rally supporting Israel and the hostages.

Citizens can make a difference through voting, demonstrations, and direct support like volunteering.

However, some citizenship actions may have limits or cause division.

That's the end of today's lesson.

Thank you for joining me.