CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION IN FINLAND Kristina Kaihari-Salminen Senior Adviser 12.2.2006

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 (2003-2007) 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

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

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)

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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