Abstract

This chapter explores the ways in which the ‘Take Part’ approach has been contributing to the promotion of active citizenship and community engagement, based upon the values of social justice, equality and respect for diversity, emphasising mutuality, co-operation and social solidarity. The ‘Take Part’ approach was developed through a series of initiatives under the UK Government’s ‘Together We Can’ programme (2003-2010), facilitating active learning for active citizenship. The aim was to empower individual citizens and their communities to acquire the confidence and competence to set out their concerns, whilst encouraging the relevant structures of governance to learn to listen and to respond more effectively, working both sides of the equation ‘to build a more active and engaged civil society and a more responsive and effective state that can deliver needed public services’ as an early report summarised these objectives (ALAC, 2006). Through these initiatives, delivered via community-university partnerships, based in regional hubs, involving voluntary and community based organisations, faith-based organisations and learning providers, the ‘Take Part’ approach developed strategies for addressing the barriers to learning for active citizenship and community engagement