In the political tradition stemming from the Greek city states and the Roman republic, citizenship has meant involvement in public affairs by those who had the rights of citizens: to take part in public debate and, directly or indirectly, in shaping the laws and decisions of a state. In modern times, however, democratic ideas led to constant demands to broaden the franchise from a narrow citizen class of the educated and the property owners, to achieve female emancipation, to lower the voting age, to achieve freedom of the press and to open up the processes of government. We now have the opportunity for a highly educated ‘citizen democracy’.
In collaboration with AU and Member States, we work to ensure that, through effective Citizenship Education teaching, every child and young person in Africa can become a confident, active and empowered citizen who can contribute to democratic society and, with others, try to improve Africa and world around them. Our Pan-African Institute designs and writes curriculum and syllabuses on the AU, the African human rights system, Agenda 2063, and democracy issues in Africa.