GCSE Learning for Life and Work

Unit 1 - Local and Global Citizenship

Table Key: Activity   Watch  Read

Government and civil society

Government and civil society: social equality and human rights

Content Elaboration Resources

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

Democratic Institutions

Democratic Institutions: promoting inclusion, justice and democracy

Content Elaboration Resources

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 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

Participation

Democracy and active participation

Content Elaboration Resources

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