How citizens act
actively, engage in
TYPES OF CITIZENSHIP: ACTIVE, PARTICIPATORY, DIGITALparticipatory decision-
making, and harness
digital tools for civic
involvement.
Eng. Muhammad Shakeel Ishtiaq
Lecturer Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Of Engineering And Applied Sciences FEAS
Riphah International University Islamabad
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
Modern Citizenship – An Evolving
Concept
• Citizenship is a fluid concept that goes far beyond
possessing rights; it includes how one engages with and
contributes to society.
• Three key dimensions:
– Active Citizenship
– Participatory Citizenship
– Digital Citizenship
Each form reinforces democratic values and social
cohesion in its own way.
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
Defining Active Citizenship
• Active citizenship involves taking direct personal
initiative to contribute to community well-being.
• It is characterized by voluntary actions—helping
neighbors, organizing local projects, and addressing
community issues.
• Key idea: When citizens take action on the ground, they
build a stronger and more resilient society.
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
Components of Active Citizenship
• Personal responsibility and self-initiative: choosing to
volunteer and lead local initiatives.
• Engagement in community service, grassroots activism,
and neighborhood improvement projects.
• Active citizens are proactive in identifying needs and
collaborating to address them.
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
Real-Life Examples of Active
Citizenship
• Local community clean-ups, neighborhood watch programs, and
charity drives.
• Volunteer efforts in schools, hospitals, and social services.
• Grassroots campaigns that mobilize citizens to solve local
problems—showing how individual actions lead to collective impact.
Benefits of Active Citizenship
• Strengthens community bonds and creates a sense of belonging.
• Empowers individuals to realize that even small actions can
generate meaningful change.
• Enhances social trust and encourages a shared responsibility for
community development.
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
Defining Participatory Citizenship
• Participatory citizenship focuses on engaging citizens in
collective decision-making and public deliberation.
• It involves active involvement in political processes—
from voting and attending public meetings to
contributing to policy discussions.
• This form of citizenship builds a bridge between
individuals and the institutions that govern them.
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
Key Elements of Participatory
Citizenship
• Involvement in local governance and civic dialogue:
town hall meetings, public debates, and local councils.
• Deliberative processes that require listening, debating,
and negotiating with fellow citizens.
• A commitment to transparency, accountability, and
constructive engagement in political affairs.
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
Examples of Participatory
Citizenship
• Participating in community forums, public consultations, and citizen
advisory boards.
• Engaging in neighborhood associations and local political campaigns.
• Using civic platforms to debate local issues and contribute to policy-
making, emphasizing democratic participation.
Benefits of Participatory Citizenship
• Fosters a more inclusive and responsive democratic process.
• Encourages citizens to feel invested in public decisions and hold
institutions accountable.
• Builds social capital by creating networks of trust and cooperation
across diverse community groups.
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
Defining Digital Citizenship
Transitioning to Digital Citizenship
• The rise of technology has introduced new avenues for civic engagement.
• Digital citizenship is emerging as a critical facet of modern participation, bridging
geographical and social barriers.
• It complements active and participatory forms by making engagement faster and more far-
reaching.
• Digital citizenship involves using online platforms and
digital tools to engage in civic and political activities.
• It includes accessing information, participating in online
discussions, and mobilizing for causes through social media.
• Digital tools enable citizens to exercise their rights and
voice opinions in a virtual public sphere.
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
Key Components of Digital
Citizenship
• Online access to public information and news; critical
for an informed citizenry.
• Digital activism: signing petitions, online protests, and
social media campaigns.
• Engagement through digital forums, blogs, and e-
governance initiatives that allow for real-time feedback
and discussion.
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
Examples of Digital Citizenship in
Action
• Social media campaigns that raise awareness on social or political
issues.
• Online petitions that influence policy changes and mobilize community
action.
• Virtual town halls and digital forums where citizens debate public policy
and exchange ideas.
Benefits of Digital Citizenship:
• Increases accessibility and broadens participation regardless of physical
location.
• Provides a rapid means to disseminate information and mobilize action.
• Facilitates greater transparency and accountability by enabling real-time
communication between citizens and government officials.
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
Challenges in Digital Citizenship
• Issues of misinformation, echo chambers, and polarization online.
• The digital divide: not all citizens have equal access to
technology or digital literacy.
• Privacy concerns and data security challenges when engaging in
digital spaces.
Integrating the Three Citizenship Types:
• Active, participatory, and digital citizenship are interconnected
and mutually reinforcing.
• Active citizenship often provides the groundwork for participatory
action, while digital tools amplify these efforts.
• Together, they contribute to a robust democratic society where
citizens are informed, engaged, and empowered.
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
THANK YOU
BME/02326 Eng. Shakeel
Abbasi
