UNIT 10
ACTIVE COMMUNI PARTICIPATION
CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Civil means related to citizens or to the public. Civil actions are outside of politics, religion,
military etc.
Civil actions do not have any interest other than cooperating and working to promote the
common good and welfare of the people. Civil societies are formed by the free will of
their members. Participating in civil society is performed voluntarily in order to enhance
social development and support the democratic process. Therefore, citizens should be
encouraged to participate as they are better informed about the needs and problems of
members of their community.
Citizens can exercise their rights of participation in a democratic system through civil
societies which empower them in various affairs.
Civic participation requires a number of things: commitment, dedication, team spirit,
readiness to work with others for the common good.
Commitment and dedication mean having the strength to maintain the effort to achieve
certain goals.
Team spirit is the belief that, in working together for a common good, you will be
successful; by coming together you will solve problems. Most of the problems we are facing
today are common problems, such as sanitation, crime and the like. These can only be solved
if there is a concerted effort that includes the participation of community members.
Civic participation should be performed within the framework of the Constitution and laws of
the land.
MONITORING AND INFLUENCING ACTIONS OF GOVERNMENT BODIES
Community participation is one of the keys to the empowerment of a community. It creates
the conditions for success. Studies have documented that community that engage their
citizens and partners in community development, raise more resources, achieve more
results and develop in a more holistic and, ultimately, more beneficial way. Community
participation is crucial for community success. Community participation requires the active
involvement of citizens in the social, economic and political realms at all levels and in all
forms.
One example of community participations is political participation, by which citizens make
their voices heard and get involved in political issues.
Involvement in political parties is designed to influence elections and policy making. This has
a positive effect both for the people and the government.
Active community political participation serves as a bridge between the people and the
government.
Interest groups are usually formed to promote specific public concern.
Such participation involves:
• Voting in elections; • Encouraging citizens to become involved in
running for office; • Financing campaigns;
• Drafting and implementing election laws; • Taking part in political campaigning;
• Demonstrations and petitions.
During election campaigns, you will be able to establish the positions of political parties on
different issues. Clarity of the party policy, their financial status and other areas can make a
significant contribution to their success or failure. Political parties will have to spend large
sums of money
on organizing and publicizing their programs and policies. They require good financial
backup in order to be competent and successful.
Demonstrations are public displays by groups showing approval, sympathy or disapproval
towards a cause. When a demonstration is performed legally it follows the governing laws
and is done without violence. Responsible citizens with active community participation
become involved in demonstrations to influence the political decisions of officials and, as
result, to protect their interests and those of others.
Democracy itself encourages people to discuss the problems around them through the
formation of discussion groups or interest groups and political parties which examine
different issues. In the case of
political issues, parties usually raise concerns and frame the agenda. These groups of
common interest,
or political parties, decide the most important issues to be addressed. For instance, if the well-
being of
citizens is a prevailing problem, it should be framed and discussed in a way that promotes the
interests
of the people. In framing a public agenda, these groups discuss the facts at hand and decide
how to
deal with the issue. In order to let the public know of the issues and form opinions, the
framed agendas are communicated to them through mass media and word of mouth.
