Blog prompt 8

Education for Sustainable Development also includes making learners aware of their role as 'Active Citizens'. David Cameron said in one of his election campaign messages, 'We must have passion for education'.
Likewise Godorn Brown said, 'We need change to get economy, society and country moving'.

It is indeed important for all citizens in a society to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills needed for effective participation in a democratic state. In the UK every Parliamentary Constituency has a responsibility to empower their people so that they understand what is meant by an ‘Active Citizen’. Investment in people is the key to promote sustainable communities.

I live in Corby County Constituency which has an electorate of 72,053. According to the Boundary Commission for England, Corby County is one of the six constituencies in East Northamptonshire. However, in the 2010 elections South Northamptonshire County is going to be introduced as the seventh constituency. Source of information: (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pbc/review_areas/downloads/Northants_li_statement.pdf). The name of the local MP is Phil Hope who, according to The Local Voice (Corby and East Northamptonshire – Spring 2010), has been the Labour Party Member of Parliament since the last 12 years. The June 2009 Corby Borough Council elections (http://www.northantset.co.uk/elections/CORBY-RESULTS.5326404.jp), showed that the Labour Party was the dominant political party.

There are various reasons why people may have voters’ apathy in the forthcoming 2010 general elections. Registered voters who have participated in previous elections may not have benefited from the politicians’ promises which generally end up as political gimmicks. Failure by MPs to make people ‘Active Citizens’, by continuously educating them before and after the elections, is one other reason for people not wanting to vote. The government has since set up The Department for Communities and Local Government, whose aim is to create thriving, sustainable, vibrant communities that would ultimately improve everyone’s life. Source of information: (http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ministerial_responsibilities/departments/dclg.aspx).
The website, ‘http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/’ may not be known by many people, but it encourages eligible voters to register, and it gives reasons why voting is important. Again it provides other electoral information. As British citizens there are a wide range of rights and responsibilities within the constitution which are stipulated in the UK Human Rights Act 1998. Some of these are; the right to participate in free elections, the right to an education, the freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly as set out in the website; (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Yourrightsandresponsibilities/DG_066931).
The Citizens Advice Bureau is a registered charity organisation that gives citizens a personal insight into the problems they face in the UK. They campaign for changes in national and local policies and services. They speak up for the people, inform the legislation and liaise with MPs and policymakers. If the majority of citizens knew or were at least keen to make use of the facility, the concept of active participation in sustainable development matters would be better understood. Source of information: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/campaigns.htm:

In some places communities are disintegrated because of different cultures, religious and ethnic identities yet the authorities sit and watch. It is therefore, a shared social responsibility for the concerned authorities to ensure that issues of race equality and community cohesion are addressed prior to general elections. This is because the prevalence of inequality and disunity in communities worsens voters’ apathy. In a way I tend to sympathise with people who either do not know their rights or are deprived of the opportunities to become active citizens.

There are so many reasons that would influence me to vote in this year’s general elections. Through education I now know my rights as a citizen, and I am a registered voter. I know the definition and importance of sustainable communities. In my constituency, the Council is easily accessible. It encourages people to: vote in local elections if they are registered, attend meetings of the council, lodge complains, participate in the council’s question time, contact the local MP including access to the council’s accounts and constitution. All these facilities are at my disposal so there is no valid reason for me not to vote in the 2010 general elections.