Introduction to Civic Engagement and Active Citizenship – Lesson 1

40 question-and-answer flashcards covering key ideas, definitions, principles, examples, and guidelines from Lesson 1 on Civic Engagement and Active Citizenship.

What three core concepts are introduced in Lesson 1?

Civic engagement, active citizenship, and civic dialogue.

How does the course define citizenship beyond status and rights?

As an activity—a set of practices through which individuals engage in dialogue and action to shape their world.

Why does the BA focus on active citizenship for graduating students?

Because BA-developed skills (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, adaptability) are essential both to employability and to shaping society as active citizens.

What are the five dimensions of effective project work emphasized in the course?

Collaboration, planning, practical knowledge & skills, reflection, and ethical engagement.

According to the course, what is civic engagement?

Participation aimed at influencing and improving community life, empowering people to address common concerns.

Which levels of Ekman & Amnå’s participation scale are the main focus of the course?

Levels 3–6: from community involvement to legal and some illegal activism.

What does the term “flaxroots” organising refer to?

Community-level, non-professional organising that is inherently bottom-up and emerges organically from local groups, such as marae, hapū, or other community-based initiatives. This form of organising operates largely outside formal governmental or established institutional structures, driven by direct community needs and a strong emphasis on local self-determination and collective action.

What outcome is expected when civic engagement levels are high in a community?

When civic engagement is high, communities become significantly stronger, more resilient, and better integrated. This robust participation fosters greater social cohesion and a shared sense of responsibility, leading to enhanced collective problem-solving. It cultivates higher levels of trust among residents and in local institutions, thereby encouraging more effective cooperation and nurturing a more vibrant, interconnected social fabric.

Define civil society.

The sphere where citizens independently gather—outside state and market—to debate, organise, and act on shared concerns.

What is meant by civic dialogue?

Civic dialogue is a process of public communication among citizens focused on fostering mutual understanding, exploring diverse perspectives, and working collaboratively towards collective decision-making or action on shared concerns within a community or society. It emphasizes open and respectful exchange of ideas, reasoning, and experiences, often aiming for consensus or informed action.

What are the four normative principles of civic dialogue?

Inclusion, equality, publicity, and reasonableness.

Explain the Principle of Inclusion.

The Principle of Inclusion mandates that all individuals or groups significantly affected by a public decision or issue should be provided with a genuine and meaningful opportunity to participate in its discussion and making. This involves actively ensuring their perspectives are not only acknowledged but also genuinely considered and integrated into the deliberation process, aiming to overcome barriers to participation and foster comprehensive representation for more legitimate and robust collective outcomes.

Explain the Principle of Equality in civic dialogue.

The Principle of Equality in civic dialogue ensures that all participants have equivalent opportunities to contribute to discussions, express their viewpoints, and critically question others' ideas without fear of intimidation, undue influence, or repercussions. It mandates that no single individual or group should dominate the conversation, and structures should be in place to counteract power imbalances, promote fair access to information, and foster an environment where every voice is genuinely valued regardless of social status, expertise, or background. This principle is crucial for fostering broad participation and ensuring that decisions are truly reflective of collective reasoning.

Explain the Principle of Publicity.

The Principle of Publicity mandates that all public deliberations and decision-making processes occur openly and are accessible to a plurality of people. This means that discussions are not hidden or conducted behind closed doors, but are transparently accessible for public scrutiny. It emphasizes that the reasoning, evidence, and arguments underpinning collective decisions must be made public and be justifiable, fostering accountability among participants and decision-makers. This open and transparent exchange ensures that citizens can understand how decisions are reached, scrutinize their basis, and hold those involved responsible, thereby building public trust and legitimacy in the outcomes.

Explain the Principle of Reasonableness.

The Principle of Reasonableness dictates that in civic dialogue, all participants are expected to present arguments and claims that are supported by sound logic, verifiable evidence, and justifications that can be understood and accepted by a broad public. This means moving beyond appeals to personal authority, social status, or mere emotional responses. Instead, positions should be defensible through rational scrutiny and open to challenge based on counter-evidence or superior reasoning. The focus is on the persuasive force of the argument itself, rather than the power or position of the person making it, thereby fostering an environment of mutual respect and promoting collective decisions grounded in shared understanding and defensible justifications.

Why is the Ihumātao campaign significant to the course?

It exemplifies indigenous-led civic engagement blending Māori values with democratic principles, illustrating active citizenship in action.

Give one way Māori and Pākehā approaches to civic engagement may differ.

Māori often centre engagement on marae, whānau, hapū, and iwi relationships, whereas Pākehā may emphasise individual action or interest-based groups.

What is tangata whenua?

Indigenous people of the land—Māori as original inhabitants with ancestral connections to Aotearoa.

What is mana whenua?

Authority and responsibility held by iwi, hapū, or whānau over specific lands and resources based on customary ownership.

Name two Māori values that commonly guide civic engagement.

Two key Māori values commonly guiding civic engagement are:

• Manaakitanga: This value centers on care, hospitality, generosity, and respect. In the context of civic engagement, it means fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where all participants are treated with dignity, and their contributions are valued. It emphasizes looking after people and ensuring mutual respect in discussions and collective actions.

• Whanaungatanga: This refers to the profound sense of kinship, relationship, and belonging. It highlights the importance of building strong, reciprocal connections and fostering a shared sense of community. In civic engagement, it drives collaborative efforts, reinforces collective responsibility, and encourages working together based on mutual support and the inherent interconnectedness of individuals and groups within a community.

What are the three commonly cited Treaty of Waitangi principles?

The three commonly cited Treaty of Waitangi principles are:

1. Partnership: This principle signifies the relationship between the Crown (government) and Māori, requiring them to act in good faith towards each other. It implies mutual respect, cooperation, and the sharing of decision-making power. It's about working together on issues that affect both Treaty partners to achieve common goals and ensure Māori interests are upheld.

2. Protection: This principle obliges the Crown to actively protect Māori interests, including their lands, resources (taonga), language (te reo Māori), culture (tikanga), and traditional practices. It means safeguarding Māori ways of life and ensuring their well-being, often through policies, legislation, and active measures to address historical injustices and promote positive outcomes for Māori.

3. Participation: This principle ensures that Māori have equitable opportunities to participate in all aspects of New Zealand society. This includes involvement in governance at all levels, policy development, and decision-making processes that affect their lives and communities. It aims to ensure Māori voice and perspective are integrated into the fabric of the nation.

Why is ethical engagement stressed when working with communities other than your own?

Ethical engagement is crucial when working with communities other than your own for several key reasons:

• It prevents condescension by ensuring that external actors approach communities with humility, acknowledging their inherent knowledge, experiences, and existing strengths rather than assuming a position of superior expertise or imposing solutions from an outsider's perspective. This respects the community's self-worth and capabilities.

• It minimizes the risk of causing harm, which can manifest in various ways, such as unintended negative social, economic, or cultural impacts, exacerbating existing inequalities, or exploiting local resources or vulnerability for external benefit. Focusing on ethical principles helps to foresee and mitigate such detrimental outcomes.

• It ensures that external actors do not impose external agendas. This means prioritizing the community's self-identified needs, goals, and priorities, allowing local leadership and collective decision-making to guide initiatives. It prevents projects from being driven by external interests, funding cycles, or preconceived notions that may not align with the community's genuine aspirations or cultural values.

• It profoundly respects community autonomy and knowledge. This involves valuing and drawing upon local wisdom, traditional practices, and lived experiences, recognizing that communities are best positioned to determine their own development paths and solutions. It fosters self-determination and empowerment, building strong, reciprocal relationships based on mutual trust and genuine partnership rather than dependency or control.

State one guideline for students planning engagement with Māori communities.

When planning engagement with Māori communities, students should adhere to several crucial guidelines to ensure respectful and effective collaboration:

• Seek advice early: It is vital to consult with relevant Māori knowledge holders, community leaders, or cultural advisors at the very beginning of any project. This proactive approach ensures that engagement is culturally appropriate, aligns with community aspirations, and respects Māori protocols (tikanga).

• Build relationships first: Prioritize establishing genuine, trust-based relationships (whanaungatanga) before discussing specific project outcomes. This involves taking time to understand community dynamics, values, and history, fostering mutual respect, and demonstrating a long-term commitment. Relationships are fundamental in te ao Māori, and they form the foundation for any meaningful collaboration.

• Listen and learn before proposing solutions: Adopt a posture of humility and active listening (ako). Understand the community's self-identified needs, challenges, and existing strengths from their perspective. Avoid imposing external ideas or predetermined solutions. Instead, learn from their experiences and knowledge, allowing community insights to shape the project's direction and co-create solutions that are relevant and sustainable for them.

Give an example of an innovative civic-dialogue method from Brazil.

Participatory budgeting is an innovative civic-dialogue method originating in Brazil, notably in Porto Alegre. It is a democratic process in which ordinary citizens directly deliberate and decide how to allocate a portion of a municipal or public budget. Through a series of public meetings, assemblies, and neighborhood forums, residents propose projects, discuss priorities, and vote on spending decisions. This method aims to increase transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance, ensuring that public funds are used to address the most pressing needs identified by the community itself, thereby strengthening local democracy and fostering a sense of co-ownership over public resources.

What is a citizens’ assembly?

A citizens’ assembly is a body of randomly selected citizens, chosen to be broadly representative of the population, convened to deliberate on complex or controversial public issues. Unlike referendums or traditional public consultations, members are given time and resources to learn from experts, hear diverse perspectives, and engage in in-depth discussions before formulating well-reasoned recommendations. This method aims to foster informed collective decision-making, enhance public trust, and provide legitimacy to policy reforms on topics such as climate change, electoral reform, or constitutional changes, as exemplified by Ireland’s abortion reform assembly.

Why are some New Zealand consultation processes criticised?

New Zealand's consultation processes face criticism primarily due to issues of accessibility and fairness, which lead to imbalanced influence. Often, these processes are designed in ways that make them inherently inaccessible to everyday citizens and especially to marginalised communities. This inaccessibility can stem from several factors, including:

• Formal and complex formats: Submissions often require written responses, adherence to specific templates, or navigation of bureaucratic language, which can be daunting for those without legal or administrative experience.

• Limited awareness and outreach: Information about consultations may not reach diverse segments of the population effectively, particularly those who are not actively engaged in political or community groups, or who rely on non-digital forms of communication.

• Time constraints and logistical barriers: Short submission deadlines, consultation meetings held during working hours, or locations difficult to access via public transport can exclude people with work, family, or mobility constraints.

• Digital divide: An increasing reliance on online platforms for submissions and information disproportionately disadvantages individuals without reliable internet access, digital literacy, or appropriate devices.

Conversely, well-resourced groups, such as large corporations, industry associations, or professional lobby groups, are better equipped to navigate these processes. They typically have:

• Financial resources: To employ specialized staff, consultants, or legal teams who can craft sophisticated submissions, analyze policy documents, and engage in sustained advocacy.

• Organizational capacity: To mobilize their members, coordinate responses, and maintain ongoing relationships with decision-makers.

• Expertise and networks: To present their arguments persuasively, backed by data and professional analysis, and leverage existing networks within government and media.

This structural bias means that while consultations are ostensibly open to all, the voices of well-resourced groups can become disproportionately amplified, leading to policies and decisions that may not adequately reflect the broader public interest or the needs of more vulnerable populations. The criticism highlights a concern that the 'public' in public consultation is not truly representative, undermining democratic legitimacy and potentially perpetuating social and economic inequalities.

Protest serves several critical purposes in civic engagement: it functions as a powerful outlet for individuals and groups to overtly express deep-seated frustration and discontent with policies or injustices when their voices are not adequately heard through formal channels. Through public demonstrations, marches, rallies, and direct actions, protest intentionally creates a visible spectacle to capture significant media attention and force an issue onto the public agenda, raising widespread awareness. It demands urgent attention by disrupting routine and showcasing the depth of public concern, ensuring issues cannot be easily dismissed. Finally, when traditional civic dialogue and negotiation fail, protest acts as a potent mechanism to pressure decision-makers, signaling strong public opposition

Provide a historical example of protest in New Zealand.

The 1981 Springbok Tour protests were a series of widespread and intense demonstrations across New Zealand against the South African national rugby team's tour. These protests were driven by strong opposition to South Africa's apartheid policy, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination. Activists, including the Halt All Racist Tours (HART) movement and other community groups, aimed to sever any sporting ties that legitimized the apartheid regime. The tour sparked unprecedented civil unrest, leading to mass demonstrations, pitch invasions, and violent confrontations between protestors, police, and rugby supporters. It deeply divided the nation and is regarded as a defining moment in New Zealand's social and political history, highlighting the power of civic engagement to influence international relations and moral stances.

Define social enterprise.

An organisation that intentionally uses market mechanisms to generate pro-social outcomes as its core purpose.

How does social enterprise differ from corporate social responsibility?

CSR adds charitable actions to mainly profit-driven businesses, whereas social enterprises embed social goals within their primary commercial activity.

What crisis in civic engagement is noted by scholars?

Declining voter turnout, shrinking participation in civic institutions, and growing distrust of media, politics, and institutions.

Contrast ‘dutiful citizenship’ with ‘networked citizenship’.

Dutiful citizenship focuses on formal participation like voting; networked citizenship engages through digital networks around identity-driven, issue-specific action.

Give one risk associated with online networked civic engagement.

Spread of misinformation, hate speech, or extremist mobilisation enabled by social media platforms.

Why are relationships fundamental in te ao Māori engagement?

Whakapapa and whanaungatanga prioritise interconnectedness and obligations, making relationship-building essential before action.

What is kaitiakitanga?

Guardianship or stewardship, entailing responsibility to protect people and the environment for future generations.

Why can inclusion in decision-making be contentious?

Structural inequalities (e.g., resources, legal access) can limit genuine voice, causing conflict over who is heard.

How many study hours per week are recommended for this course?

Roughly 10 hours per week.

What initial steps should students take to maximise learning in the course?

Begin background research on interests, work consistently, engage with readings, home group, and tutors early.

What does Te Ara Tika mean in the lesson context?

‘The right path’—symbolising the start of the students’ civic-engagement journey.

Which project dimension is the main focus of Unit 5?

Tools and practical skills for civic engagement.