 Active citizenship 

refers to the structured forms of engagement with

political processes and everyday forms of participation in society. It is alos
defined as the process of sharing decisions which affect one’s life and the
life of a community in which one lives. Participation is the fundamental right
of citizenship.
 Active citizenship is anchored on one’s cognitive and behavioral
engagement to participate in formal and informal political activities.
Different people manifest different levels of active citizenship; some they
take a more active approach in making their voices heard.
 Active citizenship is a practice of democracy. Democracy should not only
be thought of as a form of government. It is a communal system that
allows volitional freedom of citizens to make informed choices that allow
them to be heard.
 Active citizenship is a social construct. It fosters socal relatedness and
belongingness.
 The most important goal of active citizenship is to instill change and
influence societt at large.
 Active citizenship is also associated with the “sense of community.” People,
including adolescents, participate in communal activities because it gives a
sense of belonging in a particular group. Active citizenship may facilitate
ethnic pride ane provide a voice to the woes of their social group.
 For the younger generation, active citizenship can contribute to their social
develoment. Engaging in such activities can also enhance effiacy and
competence of the younger generation, as they are considered to be the
“future leaders” of the society. The participation of the youth in nation-
building activities enhances their value orientation and fosters integrity,
compassion, and the sense of justice, which are crucial to the holistic
development of a citizen of a nation.
 Active citizenship helps an individual embrace his/her individuality through
the choices he/she makes and the behavior he/she manifests. The political
self is a result of various personal and environmental factors that impact the
individual. The participation of the youth in political discourse and social
activities can result in cultural and political paradigm shifts that may be felt
even by future generations. Thus, the future begins now.
Active citizenship can refer to a broad range of activities,
including petitioning; protesting; campaigning; voting; and volunteering
for charities. One of the most important examples of active citizenship is
taking part in the democratic process. Any action that promotes and sustains
democracy is at the core of active citizenship. It can be partisan (e.g.,
campaigning for a political party) or non-partisan (e.g., campaigning to get out
and vote).

Volunteering lies at the heart of active citizenship