Passport to Democracy Lesson 2

Principles of Democracy  Open up your workbooks and fill out page one.

Answer in your books: What are the three core principles of Democracy?  What is Democracy?

The project  Passport to Democracy has been developed by the Victorian Electoral Commission  The VEC is an independent organisation that runs local and state elections. It is not aligned with any political party.  You will be looking at democracy, who represents you, how the issues you care about are affected by politics and what you as young people can do about these issues.

 You will be choosing an issue you care about to research and develop an action plan for, then pitching it to the class.  There will be a formal class election on the best group plan.  You will have a workbook to use throughout the course – bring it to class every lesson!  You will receive a certificate at the end of the course. The project

 Consider how you and your family spent time this weekend.  Jot down or draw as many things as you can think of that you did- from the moment you woke up on Sat morning until the moment you went to bed Sunday evening...

 Now have a think – do any of these things have anything to do with government?  Did politics affect your weekend?

How does politics affect our everyday lives? Had breakfast Went for a bike ride Worked at my part time job Hung out with friends Our democratic representatives make decisions about: How food is labelled... Quality of water from the tap... Safety standards for electricity that charged the alarm clock on my phone... If it’s compulsory to wear a bike helmet... Availability of bike paths... Where I can ride in my local area... Minimum wage for young people... How safe my workplace has to be... How public space is used – for example whether young people are moved on from shops or town squares... What there is to do for young people in your area

Issues - what do I care about? Issue:  “subject for discussion or general concern”  “The central or most important topic in a discussion or debate” Issue:  “subject for discussion or general concern”  “The central or most important topic in a discussion or debate” What issues do you care about in this school? In your local community? What issues do you care about in this school? In your local community?

In small groups: Think: What needs improving in the school or your local community? What concerns you? Pair: Discuss with your partner – you are going to help to solve an issue you are concerned about with this money... Share: You and your partner now share your ideas with another pair. Discuss the best use of the money. Which ideas are best?

Drill it down to a key statement: What is the issue of concern ? How would you spend the cheque to help to address the issue in your community?