Year 9 - Citizenship
How can we engage in local democracy?
How can young people play an active role in democracy?
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils consider what role they can play in their communities from school to local and national democracy.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain what local democracy involves and how Youth Councils help local democracy.
Key Notes
- Local democracy refers to the participation of citizens in decision-making at a community level.
- Young people can engage through democratic processes such as consultations, campaigning and meetings with councillors.
- Youth Councils are formal bodies led by young people to represent youth perspectives in local governance.
- Participation in Youth Councils encourages civic responsibility, political literacy and leadership development.
Vocabulary To Learn
- local democracy: a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives in their geographical area
- Youth Council: a group set up, led and shaped by young people to represent the views and interests of other young people in a democratic way
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Local democracy only happens during elections.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Local democracy refers to the participation of citizens in decision-making at a community level. Young people can engage through democratic processes such as consultations, campaigning and meetings with councillors.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'local democracy'
a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives in their geographical area.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Local democracy only happens during elections. Correction: Local democracy is happening all the time. It occurs in council meetings, Youth Councils, local campaigns and anytime that people speak up about local issues. You do not need to wait for local elections to take part.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 9 Citizenship guide library.