Canada’s Democracy Week Sept 12-16
Wednesday, September 14, 2011, PD #1
Teaching Democracy: A Conversation on the Importance of Civic Education
Mr. Marc Mayrand, chief electoral Officer of Canada/Elections Canada
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Links to international democracy year
Initiative
o To engage citizens into a discussion about democracy
 What it means to them, make it better and …
o Comes from the collective voice of citizens
o Essential in protecting our rights and freedoms
Socially, economically, politically – Canada is the top 10
Central platform for youth to learn about and celebrate the concept of and
achievements in democracy and civic engagement.
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Check out website – What does democracy mean to you? (youth contest)
Youth – those who are 18-25
o Concern – voter turnout is declining (60%, used to be 75%)
o Provincially – even less turnout
o Young people vote even less
o Target youth for future voting potential –through civic education
 Discussion in elementary and secondary school makes a
difference (civic education) research shows 25% more voting
for students going through these classes
 Impact –severe on how we govern
How can we help you to foster (government)?
o Resources:
 2 new lessons plans (pick up at entrance) re: active
citizenship
1. at home, at school and in their community (elementary)
2. democracy around the world
 election simulation kits K-12 tools to bring practice around
democracy
 launched a website for these resources (elections Canada)
As you work with them, see how you can improve (feedback important)
www.democracy-democratie.ca
The Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians
Mr. Leo Duguay, President, Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians
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2 mandates:
1. help youth construct efficient democracies and
2. make democracy a living thing for young Canadians
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insiders view – from those who worked in parliament
former Senators and MPs can help bring governments, politics, history, social
studies and other subjects to life
Question: Why more youth do not get into politics?
 Teacher’s role – fight ignorance
 Explode myths
o People quote facts that aren’t facts
o Critical thinking is crucial
o If you have a bias, surround it with another bias
 e.g if 10 people arrive with 1 bias …… Leo and Loyd both
want peace – people can have great objectives but have
a poor strategy
 Talk about people with good intentions but poor
strategies
o Make room for people to have different people
 Challenge: Don’t allow ignorance to win! Give young people a chance
to see that democracy works.
Education and Youth Engagement at the Library of Parliament
Diane Brydon, Director General, Learning and Access Service
Schools and teachers share a fundamental role with youth and parliament
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Equip teachers with tools and assist them with a sense of civic engagement
A program for educators and students
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Broaden access to Parliament for students and youth across the country
Teachers – direct and sustained impact on youth
educator, youth and partners in the field….
See pen for URL www.parl.gc.caeducation
Classroom materials about Parliament -6 different resources, grade specific,
lesson plan, teacher guides, classroom simulation, DVDs
Class sets of select publications offered free of charge
Portal for other civic education resources and information about parliament
School tours aligned with provincial/territorial curricula
Library of Parliament website – wealth of information for civic studies (resources
for classroom)
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Opportunities for educators – brochures at entrance
See website – Teaching
Targeting youth directly
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With our pedagogical program well established, new initiatives are now
being developed
Two new interactive web sites
See: Youth Connection
o Interactive on youth page (book mark at entrance)
o Discover: How Canadian govern themselves
Future initiatives
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First time voter’s guide (in partnership with Elections Canada)
Social media (blog, online discussion focus)
Further web interactivity, develop App
Tools for parliamentaris for the youth engamenet initiatives
Institute Historica-Dominion Institute
www.historica-dominion.ca
The Historica-Dominion Institute is the largest independent organization
dedicated to Canadian history, identity and citizenship.
Jenna Meisner
Surveys:
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Drivers of youth turnout:
o Knowledge
o Parents
o Voter values
Youth who discussed politics at home are twice as likely to vote
Programs:
 Canadian citizenship Challenge. Ca (quiz)
o 7-12 –enter challenge on –line
o prizes for individuals and classes
 teachers receive a guide, copy of quiz, answer key,
copies of lessons plans along with the discover canada
guide
 Speakers bureau
o Passages to Canada – speakers bureau (sharing their
experiences coming to Canada, e.g seeing snow, civic spirit,
diversity)
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o Memory project – speakers – peacekeeping, ………service
experience (veterans?)
o Challenge : quiz leave e-mail, to enter draw for great prizes,
heritages, movie “Paschendale”
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