Citizenship review
Tuesday, 11 Mar 2008 10:45
Wide-ranging changes to Britain's approach to citizenship have been proposed by former attorney-general Lord Goldsmith.
His five-month review of the issue today concludes a cradle-to-grave approach to the issue is required to help boost community and social cohesion.
This would include school-leavers taking part in a citizenship ceremony to launch them into "full-scale participation in society".
A new national day, encouragement of civic participation by employers and creating mentoring opportunities between young and old are also among the measures proposed.
Lord Goldsmith's review also suggests taking new steps to promote the use of English among newcomers to the UK, university fee cuts for those taking part in civic activities and a reform of the current "blurred" citizenship conditions.
There is debate about the extent to which enhancing the value of citizenship will make a real difference to integrating Britain's diverse society, however.
The potential introduction of such an oath into Britain's schools is encountering opposition from teachers' groups, while doubts have been expressed about the appropriateness of ceremonies comparable to those seen in the US.
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