Big Question? What virtues do citizens require to play an active, informed and responsible part in the civic lives of their communities and how can these be educated?
Our research has recognised and revealed that a range of virtues – moral, intellectual, civic and performance – are important for being a good citizen. We have come to refer to this range of virtues as the ‘civic character’ for playing an active and responsible role in the civic lives of communities. Centre studies and other activities (e.g. statements developed in consultation with key stakeholders, practical resources for educators, and webinars with leading public figures) have evidenced how vital key stakeholders, including school leaders, teachers and pupils, consider fostering civic character to be for democratic life within and beyond schools.
Some of our most relevant resources are:
Schools, Civic Virtues and the Good Citizen (2022)
The final report from the Centre’s Civic Virtues through Service to Others study, evidences the importance school leaders, teachers and pupils place on a range of virtues for being a good citizen
Educating and Measuring News Literacy and Civic Engagement in 9- to 11- Year Olds (2024)
The final report of the NewsWise in Primary Education study that developed new validated measures for news literacy and for civic engagement.
A Habit of Service (2017)
A Centre report presenting the findings of the largest known study at the time with evidence gathered from over 4,500 16-20 year olds about factors that are associated with young people who have made a habit of service.
Building Character Through Youth Social Action (2015)
A Centre report presenting how youth social action providers build young people’s character and that demonstrates the significant, positive impact that providers believe social action has on a young person’s character, and in turn the impact of that character development on young people and society.
Educating for Civic Virtues and Service: School Leader Perspectives (2021)
The initial insights report from the Centre’s Civic Virtues through Service to Others study, reports school leader views on the importance of educating civic character.
