Learning Outcomes:
*Understanding Citizens Education
*Its importance and gains
*Tool and strategies for mass education
*Media power in citizens education and advocacy
Understanding Citizen Education
Human beings exist in communities as both individuals and groups. In organized societies they are referred to as citizens. Consequently, their existence as citizens vest on them certain privileges and rights from the state they belong called human rights and by extension citizen rights (sociopolitical rights). In reciprocation to these rights due to citizens from the state, citizens owe allegiance (civic responsibilities) to the state. The availability and exercise of sociopolitical rights as well as the enjoyment of human rights are subject however to the level of social and political awareness of the citizenry of a given state; and more particularly in democratic states where the citizens have a seemingly unfettered right to choose governments including their policy and manner of implementation thereof. These rights are institutionalized, and administered by institutions of the state on the foundation of principles of civilized society such as rule of law.
A clear and complete knowledge and understanding of how the institutions of the state work, and also an awareness of the principles and operations of principles of rule of law (and social justice) and its applicability in given community, social and human relationships are integral parts of citizens involvement and enjoyment of the so called “dividend of democracy.” Therefore, understanding the delineation of human being (individual) entitled to all the rights inherent in the human person (human rights) subject to ethics and law; and human being (citizen) entitled to civil and political rights recognized by national (constitution) and international law (treaties) are the foundation for citizens education. To that end citizens education may be defined as education to prepare human beings to understand, appreciate and participate in the affairs of their communities.
It can also be defined as the equipment of citizens for “participation in civil society, community and/or political life, characterized by mutual respect and non-violence and in accordance with human rights and democracy.” Citizens education makes the citizen aware of the interdependence of human rights and citizen rights as both are vested on the citizen by virtue of his/her existence in two forms in a given society, first as an individual and second as citizen.
The objectives of citizens education may be loosely divided into three:
*Preparing people in society to understand the principles upon which the state operates and institutions that powers them, exposing people to develop a sense of individual and community responsibilities
*Preparing people to aspire to participate actively in governance and engage the government in the discharge of its responsibilities to the citizens including adherence to the rule of law and observation of human rights.
*Citizens education make the citizens aware of their relationship with and among each other and their relationship with the state and its institutions.
Importance and Gains of Citizens Education
Society Belongs To All Of Us. What We Put Into It Creates What We Get Out Of It.”
Therefore, the Importance of Citizens Education is seen more in its ability to equip citizens with the knowledge, skills and confidence to take active part in governance and government.
Specifically, Citizens Education:
>Helps citizens approach issues of conflict and controversy knowledgeably and tolerantly knowing that their actions have consequences
>Helps citizens manage ambiguities and contradictions in society with some level of tolerance
>Teaches knowledge, understanding about politics, the law and the economy and skills to participate effectively and responsibly in public and democratic life
>Teaches Citizens to act together to address issues of common concern for the purpose of improving society
Importance and Gains of Citizens Education
>Teaches about the way politics, the economy and the law work for the good of the state and her citizens and constituents
>Equips people with the knowledge and skills to understand, challenge and engage with the society including politics, the media, civil society, the economy and the law
>Prepares citizens to become active, informed and responsible citizens that are willing and able to take responsibility for themselves and their communities as well as contribute to the political process – which is the foundation of democratic governments
>Helps citizens develop self-confidence, a voice in their communities
Tools and Strategies for Mass Education
Mass education is achieved principally with the aid of the Mass media. Here, “Media denotes an item specifically designed to reach a large audience or viewers.” It also refers collectively to all media technologies that are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Therefore, the Mass media is a dynamic and powerful medium for educating the masses.
Generally, mass media is written broadcast or spoken communication that reaches a large audience. They include the Print (the Press), the Electronic media (also known as Broadcast media), and the social media.
The Print (the Press) covers the entire printed matter such as Books, Magazines, Journals, Newspapers, Bill Boards, Flyers etc.
Social media “implies the number of activities that include socializing and networking online through words, pictures and videos. To some extent, it is a two way discussion which brings people together to discover and share some information, interests as well as ideas. Admittedly, social media can range from social bookmarking, where all users have a chance to share their online libraries of links and connect to each other’s lists within a definite online community, to online collaboration spaces.”
Social media has better effects in terms of civic engagement and political action; and citizens’ mobilization for quick responses.
The mass media serve as tool and strategy for mass education in many ways that include but not limited to:
*Providing information to a vast population within a short time
*Providing wide and detailed information regarding anything that is happening in the society
*Bringing the entire world to the individual at his comfort zone
*Bringing information to people in remote and or distant places
*Encouraging modification of attitudes, inculcation of desirable values and acquaintance with cultural heritage; and acts as an agency of social change
*Reinforcing group dynamics and interpersonal communication.
*Allowing repeated use and making instructions concrete as well as stimulating interest and exciting curiosity in things. etc., and acts as an agency of social change
Whereas, “Media denotes an item specifically designed to reach a large audience or viewers,” in terms of mass education, the electronic media (broadcast media) appears to be the most effective. This is due to its ability to transmit information electronically over a period of time and to a wide audience – breaking the barrier of literacy including the ability to read.
Therefore the tools for mass education through the mass media include the Television, Film, Radio, Movies, Cameras, Video Consoles, Smart Phones, Computers and the Internet. These operate on the principles of psychology as they present needed information in beautiful ways before the citizens as news, advert, dance, drama, etc.
Media Power in Citizens Education and Advocacy
The power of media in citizens education is evidenced in its appeal to Multiple Learning Styles i.e. visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners. It is also evidenced in its ability to reach a large audience or viewers within a short timeframe. Essentially the media has great influence on citizens education through:
*The dissemination of information using Audio, Audiovisuals, and Visuals
*Broadcasting information to larger and heterogeneous audience per time
*Broadcasting information to widely dispersed audience
*Broadcasting information to the target audience via popular and pleasing means
*Expanding teaching and learning and the education space with the aid of books, newspapers, movies, radio, and television
*Stimulating interest in and developing knowledge of the information made for the public
*Allowing the instructor to facilitate the transfer of expert knowledge to intended learners
*Engaging audience and facilitating active learning with readymade teaching aids, case studies, comparative learning, and interactive sessions.
In terms of advocacy, the media assists in supporting the viewpoint of a government, a people or a cause. This is achieved by using the media to persuade local, state, or federal governments or other entities to grant specific rights, make policy changes, provide money, or create new laws for the good of the state. Therefore, media advocacy is the use of any form of media to help promote community, government or institutional objective, goal or cause.
Essentially, the media has the power to:
*Get a public or social policy message across to the largest audience possible in the least amount of time
*Inform the public about issues of public interest by governments or by the people in the fastest and most convenient means
*Educate citizens on the proposed or appropriate responses to public issues, concerns and interests
*Recast or reframe social problems for the purpose of getting citizens buy-in for the purpose of addressing the concern
*Encouraging other interested persons in a cause for the purpose of getting critical and complete information, as well as getting them involved and solving the problem.
In citizens education and advocacy, the media has the ultimate power to increase the number of informed citizens and enhance their participation in the political processes as well as establishing strong civic cultures. After all, the citizen is at the heart of every functional democratic government.
Citizens’ exercise of their rights and responsibilities is the rationale for functional governance. Without the active involvement of citizens in political life, government power can be abused and the basic rights and freedoms of democracy can go unrealized.
References
Hoskins, 2006
The Ties That Bind – House Of Lords Report On Citizenship, 2018 Citizenship education http://www.democraticlife.org.uk/citizenship-education/
“Education and role of media in education system Preeti” international journal of scientific engineering and research (IJSER) www.ijser.in ISSN (online): 2347-3878 volume 2 issue 3, March 2014
Increasing Citizen Participation Through Advocacy Efforts A Guidebook For Program Development” National Democratic Institute For International Affairs December 2000
Author: Chukwudi victor Odorme
LLB (Hons), BL, LLM, PhD (Law); MSc Political Science, PhD International Relations
Executive Director Citizens Agenda; Founder Obiama Africa – Network for Development; Country Director Reinvigorate Africa International; Senior Law Faculty Member, Veritas University Abuja; Senior Law Faculty Member, Carisma University West Indies Turks Caicos Islands, Britain.
080 6565 5005, vicodoeme@yahoo.com