New
New
Year 11

What can citizens do?

I can explain a range of actions citizens may take to respond to global humanitarian problems.

New
New
Year 11

What can citizens do?

I can explain a range of actions citizens may take to respond to global humanitarian problems.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Homes for Ukraine scheme is a key example of UK citizenship action in response to a global humanitarian crisis.
  2. Demonstrations are a key form of citizenship action that raise awareness and express views on global conflicts.
  3. Citizens worldwide use demonstrations to raise awareness and express their views about the Gaza conflict.
  4. Voting and other citizenship actions can influence government, but change may take time and face challenges.

Keywords

  • Citizenship action - taking part as an active citizen; an active citizen is a person who actively takes responsibility, becomes involved in areas of public concern & tries to make a positive difference in their community

  • Refugee - a person who has been forced to leave their home due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted

  • Demonstration - a public meeting or march protesting against a specific issue

Common misconception

Voting is the only way citizens can make a difference in global humanitarian issues.

There are numerous things citizens can do, for example, they can also take part in demonstrations, volunteer schemes, and other actions that raise awareness and provide direct support, all of which contribute to making a difference.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: What can citizens do?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Before teaching this lesson, review the case studies to ensure they are appropriate for your class. As they involve ongoing conflicts, please also check for any recent updates or developments.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What causes climate refugees?
Correct answer: climate change
conflict
education
the economy
Q2.
The UK is one of five permanent members of what council?
NATO Council
European Council
Correct answer: UN Security Council
Commonwealth Council
Climate Council
Q3.
Which of these is not an example of a global humanitarian problem?
refugee crisis
conflict
Correct answer: inflation
an earthquake
Q4.
An is someone who has left their home country and is now living in a different country, seeking protection so they don’t have to return to their home country.
Correct Answer: asylum seeker, an asylum seeker
Q5.
In the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, which of the following is deployed to help?
Correct answer: search and rescue teams
town planners to rebuild infrastructure
peace keeping soldiers
politicians to debate the problem
Q6.
Which country accepted a large number of Syrian refugees and set about integrating them into society by education programmes?
UK
Ukraine
Correct answer: Germany
France

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What scheme has seen UK citizens offer 131,000 homes to Ukrainians as of August 2023?
Correct Answer: Homes for Ukraine, Homes for Ukraine scheme, The Homes for Ukraine scheme
Q2.
Which country has taken the most refugees from Ukraine since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began?
Russia
Belarus
Moldova
Correct answer: Poland
Q3.
Why might citizens take part in a demonstration?
to pass the time on a weekend
Correct answer: to show that they disagree with government policy
Correct answer: to raise awareness of an issue
Q4.
Across the UK, students have taken part in demonstrations by creating what on campuses in response to the Israel-Palestine conflict?
Correct Answer: encampments, camps
Q5.
Which statement best reflects how citizens can influence government?
only by voting
Correct answer: by voting and other actions
citizens have no impact
only by demonstrations
Q6.
Match the terms to the right definition.
Correct Answer:demonstration,a public meeting or march protesting against a specific issue

a public meeting or march protesting against a specific issue

Correct Answer:citizenship action,joining in and being an active citizen

joining in and being an active citizen

Correct Answer:refugee,someone forced to leave their home due to persecution

someone forced to leave their home due to persecution