Topical issues in education for citizenship

This section contains features on different aspects of education for citizenship which we will continue to expand. Please contact the Education for Citizenship Content Editor if you have any ideas or suggestions for future articles.

European Information Portal

Learn about bringing a European Dimension to the curriculum which can help learners appreciate how their lives are affected by European and wider global issues.

Fair trade - information and resources

A whole section devoted to fair trade with lots of useful resources and links which can be used in the classroom.

South Asia earthquake 8 October 2005 - resources for schools

Links to resources and information that you may want to use in your classroom, at your school assembly or in informal discussion groups.

J8 and G8: join the world debate

The world's attention focused on Scotland in July 2005 when the leaders of the most powerful nations assembled at Gleneagles for the G8 summit. But how do we inform young people about the ongoing issues?

National Youth Parliament Competition

By offering young people the chance to set up and video their own parliamentary session, this competition offers an excellent opportunity to learn about the democratic process at first hand.

Refugee Week: how can schools get involved?

There are lots of fun and interesting activities that schools and young people across Scotland can get involved in. And there are stacks of resources and information for teachers to tap into.

Tsunami disaster in Asia: resources for teachers and young people

Links that may be useful for teachers when helping young people to understand the issues related to this and other global catastrophes.

Political awareness: running a mock election in your school

Mock elections can be held at any time by schools who want to give pupils the opportunity to explore the political process. Find out how to hold a mock election and get information on the 2005 General Election.

The Euroscola project: Scottish students debate key issues in French

One Glasgow secondary teacher tells us about his experience of the Euroscola project. Run by the European Parliament, Euroscola brings together 400-500 16-18-year-olds from European Union countries for workshops and debate. 

Children's 'right to know': the Freedom of Information Act and young people

Since 1 January 2005 children across Scotland have been able to exercise a powerful new right. But what is FOI all about and what are the implications for teachers, schools and the young people themselves? 

Rooshie-Doo - Scots' stories to stimulate debate

Prejudice, medical ethics and children's rights are just some of the themes explored in this series of fictionalised accounts of Scots such as Burke and Hare, the Edinburgh body snatchers, and Beatrix Laing of Pittenweem, accused of witchcraft in the eighteenth century. 

Promoting fair trade and cooperative enterprise

Stonelaw High School is one of 10 schools in Scotland participating in the Young Co-operatives pilot project. Pupils are successfully running their own fair trade cooperative business, where sales have exceeded £5000 in the first five months.

Education for citizenship workshop at St Mungo's Museum

A new workshop aimed at primary school pupils which explores how Glasgow's many faith communities contribute to and enrich the city. Themes include active citizenship, community, faith, racism and sectarianism.