Suchergebnisse

Democracy has always been a debated concept but even more so in the 21st century when we are faced with a crisis in democracy and citizens have overlooked the democratic values and responsibilities in society. Citizens have lost faith in democratic values as they see their countries facing economic problems and high unemployment, and are influenced by what they read on the media. Citizens are turning to populist and far right movements in order to seek resolution to the problem of immigration. This paper commences with a theoretical analysis of the changes that have occurred in the definition of democracy, their effect on society in recent decades and how democracy is now in crisis. Reference is then made to a longitudinal study administered by the author in January 2019 focusing on the students' understanding of 'democracy' and 'citizenship' in the 21st century using the same research instrument employed in 2004 to compare and contrast the progress or shortcomings related to the understanding of the concept of 'democracy' and 'citizenship' of young Maltese students attending the Junior College of the University of Malta. Keeping the findings in mind, the study proposes a number of recommendations to better prepare young Maltese citizens to face the challenges they will definitely meet throughout their life and also in defence of the value of democracy. ; peer-reviewed

This paper seeks to define concepts such as 'citizenship' and 'global citizenship' in a democracy and what it means to be 'a good citizen'. It also seeks to explain that every individual can be 'a good citizen' in different situations and scenarios. Of the many agents responsible for the development of an individual, education, together with the home environment and culture, play an important part. Education is also the key to liberty and freedom, while the media is the key to accessing a wealth of information and knowledge. While referring to different modern-day scenarios and the positive and negative effects of globalization, one hopes to create or contribute to a dialogue, an inward and an outward dialogue, in order to understand further the role of education in the 21st century and the implications on active global democratic citizenship. ; peer-reviewed

In January 2006, the Senate of the University of Malta approved the new Systems of Knowledge syllabus 2008-10. Module I is a totally new module related to democratic values and citizenship aiming at supporting the present and future young Maltese generations to become active democratic Maltese, European, and global citizens. This paper acknowledged, firstly, that there is a lot of content that is necessary but new to most of the students. Secondly, in line with the wording of the document itself, there is a need to shift the emphasis of the aims, away from emphasising teaching content to teaching of skills as well as creative and deliberative thinking. Thirdly, this assertion is corroborated with findings from very recent empirical research administered by the author. Finally, this pedagogical reflection sets a challenge for all stakeholders to investigate whether students are able to use the content acquired during lectures in everyday life. ; peer-reviewed

The study refers to two main theories in the field - the theory that promotes citizenship education for national identity, and the other theory that foregrounds citizenship education as shared fate. This study proposes reflections and conclusions as a result of the exploration of the foregoing theories. In this way the study synthesises the positive elements of both theories and proposes recommendations to improve the effectiveness of education for citizenship. ; peer-reviewed

Through a qualitative research method, namely the use of semi-structured interviews with eight lecturers of Systems of Knowledge at the Junior College of the University of Malta, this study explores the lecturers' understanding of the concepts of 'democracy' and 'citizenship ' and it also explores the lecturers' perceptions of the students' understanding of the same concepts at the same College. The research evolved mainly around the concepts of 'democracy' and 'citizenship' and their influence if any, on the development of the students as democratic citizens. ; peer-reviewed