History
To enable the objectives of the Working Group, the tasks of the Working Group and the needs of schools were the focus of a two day workshop in August 2015 at University of Canterbury hosted by the Working Group and including representatives of the Social Studies Teachers Association, Education Advisors to the Ministry of Education and Electoral Commission, as well as allied researchers and student representatives. This meeting confirmed the immediate tasks presented and confirmed by NZPSA at the national conference in December 2015 to:
1. Develop a web page portal that directs readers to networks for citizenship, civics and political literacy and provides some brief exemplars of best practice teaching and community learning
2. Contribute to national conversations and strategic policy reviews about civics, citizenship and political literacy
3. Source funds and resources to support the capacity and capability of teachers of civics, citizenship and political literacy in local areas through teacher fellowships, local academic / student speakers
Events and InitiativesThe Civics, Citizenship and Political Literacy Working Group has hosted and participated in a number of events and initiatives.
A panel of experts share their views. Workshop speakers include: Prof Bronwyn Hayward (University of Canterbury), Gina Dao McLay (Make it 16 Campaign NZ), Dr Sarah Pickard (Université Sorbonne Nouvelle), Dr Jan Eichhorn (University of Edinburgh), Dr Andy Mycock (University of Huddesfield), Prof James Sloan (Royal Holloway University), Dr Lara Greaves (University of Auckland), and Dr Kate Prendergast (University of Canterbury). It can be viewed here.
PublicationsSubmission - Extending the Franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds Read our submission to the 2022 Independent Electoral Review/He Arotake Pōtitangi Motuhake, calling for the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds in Aotearoa New Zealand here. Discussion Paper - Our Civic FutureRead our discussion paper that brings together contributions from researchers, educators and advocates working to improve the way we ‘do civics’ in Aotearoa New Zealand. This discussion paper follows on from the 2014 working party and subsequent NZPSA workshops held between 2015 and 2017. It reflects the input and contributions of political and social scientists, community advocates, educators, business and young leaders who have worked as writers, or reviewers to summarise best practices for teaching civics, citizenship, and political literacy through-out life. We consider what governments, communities, schools and businesses can do to strengthen our democracy by supporting the citizen’s capacity to participate in public life. The choice of what sort of democracy we aspire to, and the values and skills we think are important for citizenship, are ultimately decisions and choices for the whole community. This report aims to inform public discussion about how to build resilience into our democratic system. Key TermsThe following working definitions have been proposed for key terms: What is Civics?In political science, civics is used broadly to refer to the knowledge, skills and shared expectations of citizens who participate in, and sustain, democracies. What is Citizenship?It is both a legal status and lived experience. In legal terms citizenship is conferred on those in a community who hold rights to make claims and seek support from a community (the right to vote, to assemble, the right to access to education, health and social needs for example) and in turn have legal responsibilities to sustain and maintain that community, (through for example, paying taxes, obeying laws, voting and becoming informed). However citizenship is also the outcome of lived experience, of being, belonging and participating in a community, in ways that support, maintain and enable a community to function effectively. What is Political Literacy?The ability to understand and interpret information about how and why community decisions are made (or not made), to support citizens to think critically, and make informed choices or take action where necessary, (often in cooperation with others), to advance particular concerns and interests, while also considering the possible consequences and impacts of these choices and actions for themselves and others. |
MembershipIf you wish to the join the working group and be a part of our mailing list, please contact the Convenor of the Working Group, Prof. Bronwyn Hayward. Dr Therese Arseneau, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Associate Professor Maria Bargh, Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington Dr Patrick Barrett, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato | University of Waikato Dr Raven Cretney, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato | University of Waikato Professor Jennifer Curtin, Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland Will Dreyer, PhD student, Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington Dr Bryce Edwards, Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington Morgan Godfery, Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou | University of Otago Professor Bethan Greener, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa | Massey University Dr Tom Gregory, Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland Professor Bronwyn Hayward, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Professor Janine Hayward, Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou | University of Otago Dr Iati Iati, Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington Dr Dean Knight, Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington Dr Lindsey Te Ata o Tu MacDonald, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Professor Donald Matheson, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Associate Professor Kate McMillian, Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington Dr Julienne Molineaux, Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau | Auckland University of Technology Dr Nicholas Munn, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato | University of Waikato Professor Karen Nairn, Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou | University of Otago Dr Sylvia Nissen, Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki | Lincoln University Dr Nigel Parsons, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa | Massey University Professor Robert Patman, Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou | University of Otago Dr Kate Prendergast, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Dr Tara Ross, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Professor Richard Shaw, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa| Massey University Associate Professor Vicki Spencer, Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou | University of Otago Professor Alex Tan, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Dr Claire Timperley, Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington Associate Professor Jane Verbitsky, Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau | Auckland University of Technology | Expert AdvisorsRachel Bolstad NZ Council for Education Research Dr Jan Eichhorn, University of Edinburgh Professor Angus Hikairo Macfarlane Māori Research, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Dr Andrea Milligan, Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand Associate Professor Carol Mutch Head of School, Critical Studies in Education, Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland Dr Sarah Pickard, University in Paris - Sorbonne Université Dr Bronwyn Wood School of Education, Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University Wellington |