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Caring Citizen
'Citizen’
is one of the most important roles each of us plays in society. The
Caring Citizen is the glue that holds our society together.
Citizenship
involves three components: rights and responsibilities and access.
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Rights of belonging, of
access to justice, to due process, of mutual recognition and
approval of our distinctiveness, uniqueness and differences both
as individuals and groups.
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Responsibilities to
respect and care for each other; to commit to the well being of
the community, to contribute to the health and vitality of our
communities, to engage in creating a vital society.
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Access to the forums,
institutions, associations and public spaces where citizens
meet, discuss, share, work, contribute, play and socialize.
To be a
Caring Citizen is to share a commitment to the ‘Common Good".
To be a Caring Citizen requires us to be in relationship with
others. We cannot be a caring citizen in isolation. Our role of
citizen binds us together.
To be a Caring
Citizen obliges us to share our gifts; skills, talent, expertise.
To be a
Caring Citizen means being present and being able to participate. It
means being welcome. It means removing the barriers to engagement
and participation in civic life.
For reflections by Catherine Frazee, on
rights, relationships and their importance for full inclusion and
citizenship click here.
Tell
Me More!
If you would like to read more about the role of citizen in our
society please click here.
Click
here for some insight on government thinking about citizenship
and disability.
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