Rural Areas Need Active Citizens

Abstract

Active citizenship means transcending an individual's need for the basic necessities of life and striving for something more (public interest). The level of active citizenship is in direct proportion with the level of democracy and is also its indicator. Active citizenship is not only a right but is primarily an obligation to react everywhere and always. In this way we trigger the processes resulting from personal searching, enterprise and initiative. The values of the society and of each individual stimulate active citizenship. In this respect, the various forms of education, training and learning play an exceptional role. They involve the introduction to the technical possibilities of “being an active citizen,” and even more so, of educating people to begin thinking with their own heads, which is certainly the most important goal of activating citizens. After all, it is the individual who publicly addresses the various, socially more or less significant topics. This calls for a responsible and “mature”   person who is willing to take on the responsibility for the consequences of his actions. Active citizenship is a skill that cannot be take for granted. Above all, it calls for active thinking that leads to action. The society must provide education and it is up to the individual to take advantage of it. On the basis of personal values and interests, an educated individual alone can make decisions on the “level of active citizenship.” The process of integration of Slovenia into the EU is auspicious time for active citizenship as the European Union attributes great importance to the civil society and ini­tiatives arising from it.