1. CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION IN FINLAND
Kristina Kaihari-Salminen
Senior Adviser

2. PROMOTING ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP IN FINLAND
One of the points of governments’ development plan for education and research 2003–2008 is to promote educational rights and active citizenship
The Citizen Participation policy programme of the Finnish Government ( )
The new curricula:
-more recources for citizenship education and more focus to active participation
-support for students’ councils and co operation with NGO’s and other bodies
European Year of Citizenship through Education 2005 by COE

3. Some main principles in the National Core curriculum
Education promotes responsibility, a sense of community, and respect for the rights and freedoms of the individual
SOCIO-CONSTRUCTIVIST LEARNING CONCEPTION
Bases on a conception of learning as an individual and communal process of building knowledge and skills
Learning results from the pupils’ active and purposeful activity ->learning is an active and goal-oriented process that includes independent or collective problem-solving

4. CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION IN BASIC AND UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION
Implementation
Through CROSS-CURRICULAR THEMES in teaching of all subjects and through the school’s OPERATIONAL CULTURE
-thematic days and weeks
-co-operation with NGO’s and other bodies
-students’ councils
The compulsory subject of SOCIAL STUDIES/ CITIZENSHIP
-3 hours a week on the 9th grade in basic school
-2 compulsory courses in upper secondary school (2 x 38 h)

5. The cross-curricular themes in General Education
Active citizenship and entrepreneurship
Safety and well-being
Sustainable development
Cultural identity and knowledge of cultures
Technology and society
Communication and media competence

6. ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP AS A CROSS-CURRICULAR THEME
The objectives are for students to
consolidate their knowledge of human rights and the operating principles of democratic society;
be able to form their own justified opinions and discuss these with respect for other people’s opinions;
be familiar with various participation systems in society and their procedures

7. ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP AS A CROSS-CURRICULAR THEME
The objectives are for students to
be ready to participate in the creation of common good for their local community, municipality of residence, society and living environment as individuals and in groups and to influence decision-making in society;
adopt proactiveness and enterprise as their own operating methods;
be familiar with the different forms, opportunities and operating principles of entrepreneurship;
understand the significance of work to individuals and society;
be familiar with the available to means of influence consumers and know how to exercise these.

8. THE COMPULSORY SUBJECT OF SOCIAL STUDIES/CITIZENSHIP IN BASIC EDUCATION
AIMS
to guide the pupil in becoming an active and responsible player in society
to give pupils basic knowledge and skills concerning the structure and operation of society, and the citizen's opportunities for influence
to support the pupils' growth as tolerant, democratic citizens, and to give them experience with social action and the democratic exercise of influence

9. CORE CONTENTS OF THE COMPULSORY SUBJECT OF SOCIAL STUDIES/ CITIZENSHIP IN BASIC EDUCATION
The individual as a member of a community
Family; different types of communities; minority cultures and subcultures
The individual's opportunities to act in his or her home municipality, as a citizen of his or her state, in the Nordic countries, and in the EU
Welfare of the individual
different dimensions of the welfare state
equality, sustainable development, and other ways of promoting welfare

10. CORE CONTENTS OF THE COMPULSORY SUBJECT OF SOCIAL STUDIES/ CITIZENSHIP IN BASIC EDUCATION
Exerting influence and decision-making
opportunities for citizens to have an impact
democracy, elections, and voting
political and administrative players at the municipal, national, and EU levels
the media and social influence
Security of the citizen
the justice system, the individual's rights and obligations, legal responsibility
traffic safety
security policy: foreign policy, national defence

11. CORE CONTENTS OF THE COMPULSORY SUBJECT OF SOCIAL STUDIES/ CITIZENSHIP IN BASIC EDUCATION
Managing one's finances
principles of managing private finances
work and entrepreneurship
Economics
the individual and households as consumers and economic players
the importance of foreign trade and the global economy
Economic policy
fluctuations in the economic cycle; unemployment, inflation and their impacts on households
taxation and public finances

12. The function of the versatile working approaches is
PERSONAL AUTONOMY, INTERACTION AND CITIZENSHIP in the general part of core curriculum
The function of the versatile working approaches is
to develop social, learning, thinking, working, and problem-solving skills, and to foster active participation.
They must also provide opportunities for the creative activity, experiences, and play characteristic of the age group in question.
Working approaches are chosen because they
excite a desire to learn
motivate the pupils to work purposefully
support learning that occurs through interaction among the pupils
promote social flexibility, an ability to function in constructive cooperation, and the assumption of responsibility for others