8.2.7 Strategies for Active Citizenship
Completion requirements
8.2.7 Strategies for Active Citizenship
"Butchered Dolphin", Sri Lanka. ©Courtesy NDN Brunei
Wasyl and his friends watched a documentary film on TV called "The Cove" about the slaughter of dolphins off the coast of Japan. They saw thousands of dolphins slaughtered and sold for meat to unsuspecting consumers. They were disgusted at what
they saw, and they knew they had to something about it. They had already participated in community action to save a local park. They knew action could lead to change. But this was an international issue. What could they, as a group of high school
kids, do about it?
Wasyl did a web search for the movie and was taken to a link that suggested several actions. He and his friends could sign a petition, learn more about the issue, donate money to the film makers, write letters to officials, or join a group on their favourite social networking site.
They discussed the suggestions.
Wasyl did a web search for the movie and was taken to a link that suggested several actions. He and his friends could sign a petition, learn more about the issue, donate money to the film makers, write letters to officials, or join a group on their favourite social networking site.
They discussed the suggestions.
- What would do the most good?
- What would be the best way to lead to change?
- How could they ever know if their actions would have any effect?
Without realizing, Wasyl had already taken two key steps on the road to effecting change:
- believing that change was possible, and
- being prepared to take a leadership position to effect change.
Not only was he prepared to take action as an individual, he was also ready to stir his community to take collective action.
Read "Leading for Change" on pages 495 to 498 and 502 to 507 in your textbook Perspectives on Ideology.
Take notes and find examples on the following:
- Believing in change
- Acting on your beliefs
- Consequences of inaction
- How to raise awareness
- How to organize people
Watch the video for another perspective.
"How to Change the World (a work in progress)/Kid President", SoulPancake, You-tube
Consider the following:
- What are the first steps needed before one can take action?
- What activities are suggested that could lead to change?
- Which of the suggested activities do you think are most effective?