Charles Ungerleider, Professor Emeritus, The University of British Columbia
[permission to reproduce granted if authorship is acknowledged]
Many Canadians are appalled by the overt attacks on democratic citizenship that are occurring just across the ‘world’s longest undefended border.’ Book banning, historical revisionism, ad hominem attacks, overt racism and homophobia are tactics that seem to be designed to erode the rights, duties, and privileges that come with democratic citizenship. The porousness of the boarder separating Canada from the United States has me wondering whether we need a wall.
Not a physical wall. A wall of concepts and dispositions that schools should teach about and cultivate to ensure the sustained health of a democratic society. I am talking about preparing students for active participation in society and helping them understand their rights and responsibilities.
I think Canadian schools need to incorporate civic education into the curriculum. Students should learn about their country's democratic institutions, the constitution, and the functioning of the government. Understanding how elections and governments work. In an increasingly polarized society, students should understand how the rights of minorities are respected in a political system that gives the majority the greatest weight in decision-making.
Schools should encourage students to be aware of and engage in current affairs and important social issues through class discussions, debates, or assignments related to contemporary issues. Students should see the connection between their lives, the community around them, and the larger political environment. We must educate students to analyze different viewpoints, discern reliable sources of information, and make informed decisions. We should be encouraging them to question, reason, and to doubt.
Students should have opportunities to participate in democratic processes within the school environment. They need direct experience with democratic decision-making and its messiness. Schools should also provide opportunities for students to engage with their local communities through community service, local projects, or partnerships with local organizations. The purpose of such participation is to develop their understanding of active citizenship and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic society.
We should be teaching students about human rights to help them understand the values underpinning democratic societies. This includes concepts such as equality, freedom, justice, and dignity.
Schools should be microcosms of the larger society by welcoming diversity. Teaching about and demonstrating respect for diversity helps students understand the importance of pluralism in a democratic society. The school environment should reflect democratic principles. This means respecting the rights and voices of students, promoting equality, and practicing fairness. Schools should set an example by making decisions transparently, considering the views of students, and addressing conflicts fairly.
Many readers will recall their school days when the concept of citizenship predominantly focused on the nuts and bolts of democracy, focusing on the procedural aspects of democratic governance (e.g., the election process, the roles of the Parliament, the Prime Minister, opposition parties, and the judiciary). However, I am suggesting a different approach. This approach should focus on the challenges inherent to democratic systems such as the dangers of misinformation in the digital age, the influence of money in politics, or the erosion of trust in public institutions. Incorporating these contemporary challenges into the curriculum should prompt students to critically analyze and contend with these obstacles, equipping them to become proactive contributors in their communities. This approach would offer a comprehensive understanding of democracy and equip succeeding generations to actively champion and safeguard the rights that previous generations have helped to establish.
If schools do not deliberately teach about
and cultivate democratic citizenship, who will?