GCSE Learning for Life and Work

Social responsibility of the following in supporting democracy, social justice, social equality and human rights:

• government, politicians, MLAs and public representatives

  BBC Bitesize resource on the role of government in human rights

  Visit Northern Ireland Assembly Education Service - opportunity to meet with MLAs

The role of the government in promoting social equality, social justice and human rights through the following:

• legislation
• policies
• communication
• education

The importance of Section 75 of the NI Act 1998 in promoting equality of opportunity, promoting good relations, protecting people from discrimination

  Northern Ireland Act - Section 75

  BBC Bitesize resource - The role of government in human rights

The significance and the following key features of the 1998 GFA:

• devolved, power-sharing government in Northern Ireland - the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Northern Ireland Executive
• principle of consent
• the right to hold both British and Irish citizenship
• safeguards for human rights and equality
• recognition of linguistic diversity and promotion of Irish and Ulster Scots

  Explanation of the Good Friday Agreement

  The agreements explained and an interactive timeline game

  Professors Rick Wilford and Cathy Gormley-Heenan ask if the Good Friday Agreement is still intact (video 2016)

  Animation resource on consociationalism

The following structure of the NIA:

• consists of elected MLAs
• led by First Minister and deputy First Minister
• involves cross- community power-sharing between unionists and nationalists

  Video on the difference between Assembly and Executive

The following main roles of the NIA:

• representing constituents
• approving legislation
• scrutinising the work of the NI Executive

  Visit Northern Ireland Assembly Education Service - opportunity to meet with MLAs

Representation role:

  Interactive map of NI -find out who your MLAs are

  Interactive map of NI - find out who your MLAs are. This post 16 version also includes research papers examining recent election results and electoral performance

  Interactive game - try the Constituency Surgery challenge

  Professors Rick Wilford and Cathy Gormley-Heenan give their assessments of the performance of the Assembly (series of video interviews from June 2016)

  Animation explaining the scrutiny role of MLAs

Legislation role:

  Animation on how laws are made in the NI Assembly

  Information about the legislative role of an MLA and examples of recent bills

  Professors Rick Wilford and Cathy Gormley-Heenan give their assessments of the performance of the Assembly (series of video interviews from June 2016)

Scrutiny Role:

  Detailled information on how the Assembly scrutinises the Executive i.e. opposition, committees, questions and debates

  Professors Rick Wilford and Cathy Gormley-Heenan give their assessments of the performance of the Assembly (series of video interviews from June 2016)

  Scrutiny Animation

The following structure of the NI Executive

• consists of governments departments led by ministers appointed by political parties (students should have knowledge and understanding of the role of any FOUR NI government departments)

  Introduction to the Executive, its role and responsibilities

Links from this page to:

•   The Ministerial Code
•   The Government departments (information within each department’s site about their role and remit)
•   Programme for Government

The following main roles of the NI Executive:

• agreeing on and producing a draft budget and programme for government
• making legislation
• agreeing on significant or controversial issues

The role and responsibilities of MLAs including the Code of Conduct of the NI Assembly

  Code of conduct for Members can be found here

See Roles of NIA for links to information on the representation, legislation and scrutiny roles of MLAs

Ways in which young people can participate in democratic processes (for example in school, the community and the wider world) and influence change for the benefit of society

  Find out who represents you

  Visit Northern Ireland Assembly Education Service - opportunity to meet with MLAs

  BBC Bitesize revision guide - Democratic Participation. Includes video resource.

  UK Government guide to active participation

  NI Direct advice on getting your voice heard