How can young people be involved in local decision making? | Citizenship

Starter quiz

Which word describes having the right to vote?
- 'suffrage' ✓
The minimum age you can register to vote in Scotland and Wales is ...
- 16
- 14 ✓
- 18
- 15
Match the voting eligibility criteria to its correct meaning.
- residency
  
  ⇔
  
  where a person lives ✓
- nationality
  
  ⇔
  
  where a person is from or where they are a citizen of ✓
- age
  
  ⇔
  
  how old a person is ✓
What is the name of the event where the main purpose is: to encourage people to register to vote, inform them of the voting process and encourage them to vote on election day?
- campaign community day
- electoral roll fair
- election training
- voter registration drive ✓
- community outreach fair
Put the voting steps into the correct order, starting with the earliest.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  Person checks their eligibility to register to vote.
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  Eligible person joins electoral roll via online or paper form.
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  A polling card is sent to the person, showing where they should go to vote.
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  Person takes photo ID to the polling station on election day and votes.
Which of these are examples of being an active citizen?
- joining a litter pick ✓
- not engaging with local campaigns
- raising awareness of local issues ✓
- volunteering and supporting local causes ✓
- not following the law

Exit quiz

What term is used to describe when people are affected by things like litter, noise or pollution in their local area?
- 'Local issues' ✓
When vermin, pollution, noise and litter begin to affect a local community, it can have a negative impact on people's health and ...
- 'wellbeing' ✓
Choose step three from the following options. The correct order for planning a campaign action is to 1) plan, 2) take action and 3) ...
- be persisent
- evaluate ✓
- work with others
Which of these are ways young people under 18 can influence decisions in their local area?
- organise an event to raise awareness ✓
- write letters or start/sign petitions ✓
- write a diary about local events
- speak with local decision-makers ✓
- read the local news
Match the campaign method with its examples.
- raising awareness
  
  ⇔
  
  displays, posters, art, performances ✓
- online campaigns
  
  ⇔
  
  social media, vlogs, blogs, hashtags ✓
- events
  
  ⇔
  
  protests, marches, community gatherings ✓
- informing others
  
  ⇔
  
  talking with others, holding meetings with officials ✓
Order the words to create a sentence that describes what an active citizen is.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  An
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  active
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  citizen
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  takes
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  action
- 6
  
  ⇔
  
  to make
- 7
  
  ⇔
  
  positive change.

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Local issues are concerns or problems that directly affect a specific community or area.
Campaigning techniques include petitioning, protesting, raising awareness and volunteering.
Young active citizens take action to improve areas by identifying issues, planning, working together and evaluating.

Common misconception

Young people can't have a real influence on local decision making because they are not old enough to vote or be a councillor.

Young people can have a significant impact by speaking up, raising awareness, organising community actions and engaging with local leaders. They can be powerful voices for change, especially when working together and being persistent.

Keywords

Issue - an important problem or topic to consider, discuss or debate
Campaign - actions or events organised by an individual or a group of people to achieve an aim
Action - practical steps designed to try to raise public awareness or influence key decision-makers
Active citizen - a person who actively takes responsibility, becomes involved in areas of public concern and tries to make a positive difference in their community