What actions do make us a good, responsible citizen?

ACTIVE AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP

Rights and Freedoms Responsibilities

Legal rights Obey Canada’s laws

Equality rights Express opinions freely while respecting the rights and freedoms of others

Mobility rights Help others in the community

Aboriginal peoples’ rights Care for and protect our heritage and environment

Freedom of thought Eliminate descrimination

Freedom of speech

Freedom of religion

Right to peaceful assembly

Are there any other rights or responsibilities that should be included?

Do these apply to the international community?

To what extent should my actions as a citizen be shaped by an ideology?

Moral dilemma: Someone attacks/hurts a member of your family. Do you take revenge OR do you allow the justice system to run its course?

Moral dilemma: Would you kill to defend your religion, even though murder is a sin?

How much evil would you do to do good?

You have captured a known terrorist who has information that will save the lives of 100 innocent people. You can torture them to

access the information, do you do it?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pAB0l9yYJ8• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-YSlARDNxs

Waterboarding & Torture

To what extent should we defend our ideology (principles, values and beliefs)?

TASK ONE: Explore the following key terms:

• dishonorable:

• principled:

• criteria:

Defending Your Ideology

• WHAT MAKES SOMEONE’S ACTIONS ‘PRINCIPLED’?

Defending Your Ideology

• WHAT MAKES SOMEONE’S ACTIONS ‘DISHONORABLE’?

TASK TWO: In groups of three, develop what you feel are the criteria for distinguishing between a ‘principled actions’ and ‘dishonorable conduct’. Try to come up with at least three criteria.

I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithfuland bear true allegiance to Her MajestyQueen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada,Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfullyobserve the laws of Canadaand fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen.

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

Hierarchy of Political Activism

• Create a spectrum of political activism, varying in degree from very passive to very aggressive…

Build your own ‘I Pledge’ video. Your video will be compiled with responses to the statement:

• “In order to be a better Canadian citizen I pledge…”

Go to http://www.giveyour10.com/ and register your own ’10 by 10’ comments. Your comments will be compiled with responses to the statement:

• “10 ways I will change the world in 2010 are…”

When you share your commitments on this website, Aviva will donate $10 on your behalf to a Free The Children community overseas.