What is ‘We the People’? A Network of Individuals and Organisations  Committed to responsible citizenship  With the mission to expand an informed, active and responsible citizenry in India  With a 3 year Vision of igniting a million sparks across the country by initiating exploration, understanding and action for being an active and responsible citizen

A Little Background  Coming together – January 2010; Forming a Trustee Board – April 2010  2 years of active work on ground in 3 geographic regions (Mumbai, Hyderabad and Gurgaon)  Multiple citizenship events and programs reaching 3000 citizens directly; social networking and other media reaching 2000 citizens  We are going to be registered as a society this year

Constitution Set of Principles by which a country is governed The Democratic System- Relationship between ‘Us’ and the ‘State’ Citizens Those who agree to live by these principles and ensure the State works on these principles State The delivery mechanism

The Gap I don’t Matter Someone is ruling, I am being ruled I Vote, I pay Taxes, what else? I live in this Country

Bridging the Gap I don’t Matter I Matter! I am Ruled I am ruler and the ruled! I Vote, I pay Taxes I vote, I pay taxes, I follow law, I question! I live in this Country I own this country!

All that’s fine…but How?  The Citizenship Programme for schools/colleges/corporates/urban and rural communities/queer community/Non-profits  Citizen Cafes  Constitution Connect Campaign  Radio Shows/Newsletters/Social Networking

The Citizenship Programme Knowledge of Governance + Understanding, Tools & Skills for Participation Real time Action on civic issues with State authorities Empowering Beliefs Active & Responsible Citizenship A basic training for all citizens which brings together… Nearly 2000 citizens have gone through this training

Citizen Cafes  Short powerfully transformative dialogues on the constitution/personal responsibility as citizens  Actively engaging citizens in a conversation on constitution & responsible citizenship  210 Cafes have been conducted across cities, small towns and villages in 23 states of India. Video Link Video Link w

 Trustees – The group that ensures alignment of work with values.  Anchors – Facilitators that reach out to citizens through programs/events  Associates – People who work on specific Secretariat projects.  We have anchors and associates in Baroda, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Nashik and Bangalore. People behind the scenes

 Institutions that are embedding active citizenship in education Partner Organizations

Reach Till Date…  Citizenship programs reaching nearly 2000 people  Citizen Cafes reaching close to 7000 people  Secretariats setup in North (Gurgaon) and in West (Pune) to co-ordinate local networks  An online national network of 3500 members  Media presence on radio, TV, Print and social media.

Impact of our work “From my childhood days in my village in Gujarat, I have seen officials and judges dispense justice. You finally get your due but you have to fight for it.” says Arvind Waghela, who has used complaints in combination with filing for information on the status of this complaints using the RTI Act t o get a open drain in front of his house covered in Dharavi, Mumbai.

Impact of our work contd. ‘12 of us came together from different colleges and localities and decided that we had to do something about getting auto drivers to abide by meter rules. We learnt how to file petitions in the citizenship program and filed one at the traffic commissioners office, attesting 1800 signatures from a drive we undertook in colleges. We demanded for immediate action on this issue and it resulted in massive 3 day crack down and fining of auto drivers charging more, and also the installation of rate charts in autos.

Impact of our work Having been through the citizenship program I have clarity about how I can work with the government in a systematic way to get issues solved…I am working with the local municipality to ensure direct water connections to each household in Mohammadia Nagar, a large community in the Rasulpura basti in Hyderabad. Having been through the citizenship program I have clarity about how I can work with the government in a systematic way to get issues solved…I am working with the local municipality to ensure direct water connections to each household in Mohammadia Nagar, a large community in the Rasulpura basti in Hyderabad.

Vinita Singh Founder Trustee, How to reach us? All figures for period april 2010 – march 2015 Piyush Goel Head of Secretariat - North,