Question
How might citizenship education be developed in the light of the exit from the European Union?
Answer
The development of citizenship education in the context of Brexit involves addressing the changing dynamics of national and European identities, as well as the implications for social and digital citizenship. Brexit has reshaped the understanding and value of citizenship, highlighting the need for innovative educational approaches.
Key Considerations for Citizenship Education Post-Brexit
Redefining Citizenship and Identity: Brexit has altered the social meanings of national and EU citizenship, emphasizing the need to understand these changes in educational contexts. Citizenship education should address the stratification of citizenship rights and the varying impacts on different demographic groups, such as migrants and different age groups (Sredanovic and Della Puppa, 2021; Sredanovic, 2020).
Digital Citizenship: The concept of digital citizenship is becoming increasingly relevant, especially in regions like Northern Ireland, where digital frameworks like “Algorithmic Nations” are proposed to navigate complex citizenship regimes. This approach can be integrated into citizenship education to enhance digital literacy and critical awareness (Calzada and Bustard, 2022; Calzada, 2022).
Social Citizenship and Welfare: Brexit has been framed as a redefinition of social citizenship, affecting access to welfare and services. Citizenship education should incorporate discussions on social rights and responsibilities, and how these are influenced by political changes (Donoghue and Kuisma, 2021).
Diasporic and Transnational Citizenship: The increase in applications for citizenship in other EU countries post-Brexit highlights the importance of understanding diasporic identities. Citizenship education can explore concepts of effortfulness and essentialism in claiming citizenship, fostering a broader understanding of identity and belonging (Scully, 2024).
Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development: Citizenship education should also focus on global citizenship, emphasizing moral ideals, personal accountability, and sustainable development goals. This approach can prepare students to engage with global issues and promote social justice (Fang et al., 2023; Akçay et al., 2024).
In light of Brexit, citizenship education should evolve to address the complexities of national and European identities, digital citizenship, and global responsibilities. By integrating these elements, education can better prepare individuals to navigate the changing landscape of citizenship in a post-Brexit world.
References
Calzada, I., & Bustard, J., 2022. The dilemmas around digital citizenship in a post-Brexit and post-pandemic Northern Ireland: towards an algorithmic nation?. Citizenship Studies, 27, pp. 271 – 292. https://doi.org/10.1080/13621025.2022.2026565
Sredanovic, D., & Della Puppa, F., 2021. Brexit and the stratified uses of national and European Union citizenship. Current Sociology, 71, pp. 725 – 742. https://doi.org/10.1177/00113921211048523
Donoghue, M., & Kuisma, M., 2021. Taking back control of the welfare state: Brexit, rational-imaginaries and welfare chauvinism. West European Politics, 45, pp. 177 – 199. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402382.2021.1917167
Scully, M., 2024. “I feel I should put that work in”: Discourses of effortfulness and essentialism among post‐Brexit applicants for Irish citizenship. Political Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.13026
Calzada, I., 2022. Emerging digital citizenship regimes: Pandemic, algorithmic, liquid, metropolitan, and stateless citizenships. Citizenship Studies, 27, pp. 160 – 188. https://doi.org/10.1080/13621025.2021.2012312
Fang, H., Zhang, F., Xiao, Q., & Lin, C., 2023. New Policy Research on Education Development and Global Citizenship in a Sustainable Environment. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15064736
Akçay, K., Altınay, F., Altınay, Z., Dagli, G., Shadiev, R., Altinay, M., Adedoyin, O., & Okur, Z., 2024. Global Citizenship for the Students of Higher Education in the Realization of Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041604
Sredanovic, D., 2020. The tactics and strategies of naturalisation: UK and EU27 citizens in the context of Brexit. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 48, pp. 3095 – 3112. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2020.1844003
