How can citizens bring about change?

In this lesson, we will learn about the role of a citizen within a democracy. We will explore what being part of the democratic process means and what actions can be taken to improve the world around us.

In this lesson, we will explore different groups that aim to create positive change in society. We will consider the role of pressure groups and how they influence change. We will then go on to look at examples of protest groups and social movements and the methods they use in campaigning for change.

In this lesson, we will explore a particular political tool: the campaign. We will learn about different types of campaigning, for example, social media campaigns, notoriety, political lobbying and the use of the media. We will then explore how campaigns try to influence those in power and the likelihood of a successful campaign.

In this lesson, we will learn what a changemaker is and why their actions are important in democracy. We will explore different examples of some recent problems in society in relation to inequality and injustice and learn how changemakers have had a positive impact on these.

In this lesson, we will look back at the role of the citizen within a democratic society. We will link this discussion to Article 21 of the UDHR and we will consider why it is important for citizens to be involved in democratic decision making. We will then explore the authority of citizens in holding those in power to account through parliamentary select committees. Lastly, using the education committee as an example, we will find out how we can get involved in committees and what is involved in giving evidence.

In this lesson, we will reflect on some of the case studies and examples of changemaking in lessons 1-5 of this unit, 'How can citizens bring about change?'. We identify the characteristics of effective change and the different ways of describing or assessing the impact of actions taken by citizens.