EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - The various dimensions of active citizenship

The various dimensions of active citizenship

Introduction

What are the various dimensions of active citizenship and which pointers exist for urban policy?

Description

Citizenship, and notably active citizenship, is an area of policy that is attracting more and more attention. It is the latest remedy for tackling challenges in society. In the Netherlands, citizenship translates into personal responsibility, or standards and values. Fontys College published a document entitled "Active citizenship: the pushing and pulling surrounding public services" in which the authors examined this subject. Attention to citizenship is nothing new and the subject embraces a wide field. The authors concentrated mainly on "the citizen".

A working group consisting of representatives of Fontys, Loket W (an Eindhoven welfare organisation) and the City of Eindhoven examined the meaning of "citizenship" from a variety of angles and its relevance to local policy. The study took place from November 2004 until March 2005.

Background information

"Active citizenship" is a term gaining in popularity. It is the latest remedy for tackling social challenges. However, active citizenship is not a new invention, but regularly surfaces in deliberations about public services. This publication analyses the term "active citizenship" and highlights its different dimensions and pointers for policy, notably the urban policy applicable to Eindhoven.

Methodology

Literary study into the concept of ´active citizenship´.

Conclusions

The study’s main conclusions were summarised in seven propositions:

The term "active citizenship" does not refer to an arbitrary social intervention, but to finding a "new social contract" between public and government.
Active citizenship refers to the importance of social behaviour and the self-help of citizens, and the way service providers and policymakers invite citizens to adopt social behaviour and practice self-help and how they support them in that regard.
Active citizenship is not a new idea, because it has existed for a long time, both in terms of objective and in practice.
Active citizenship involves not only looking differently at what is, but is also an active agenda for expanding and supporting citizens’ contributions to the development of society.
The active agenda rests not just with the citizen, but also has evident consequences for service providers and for policy.
Active citizenship is a positive agenda that requires investments, but is frequently misused as a term for disguising scaled-down government involvement and undermining income and risk solidarity.
Active citizenship is not a quick fix for challenges posed by society.

Contact info

Fontys Hogescholen
Dr Jan Steyaert

Publication date

21/06/2005

Researcher

Jan Steyaert, Johan Bodd and Lilian Linders

Article info
ISBN: 9053550127

Links

Fontys Hogescholen

The various dimensions of active citizenship (PDF, Dut, 1 MB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizenship