The WEA's South Yorkshire 'Active Citizenship' project is forging ahead with four hundred students so far having signed up to WEA courses and activities in Sheffield and the surrounding area. Topics studied have ranged from ICT and 'Cameras for Campaigners' to 'Global Issues' - including the study of climate change, migration and the international fashion industry - and DVD production with a citizenship theme.

Courses have been running in community centres and a range of other venues and have included short workshops and study visits as well as more conventional classroom-based learning.

All the time new ideas are emerging, new partnerships are being forged and learning opportunities are happening for adults living and working in the local area - all connected with supporting adults who want to become more active in their communities and at local (and national) government level.

A brand new publication 'The Active Citizen' has emerged from one of the project's main courses, Politics and Public Life. Students speak out about their interests, campaigns and commitments and discuss the problems they have experienced in trying to make a positive difference in their localities. The book is co-published by the WEA and the Academy for Community Leadership who has funded the course.

Both the students and their tutor Helen Jackson (former MP for Sheffield, Hillsborough) hope the publication will be a helpful guide to others working in related fields and help inspire similar activities.

Helen and a group of her students are traveling to the Houses of Parliament on 4th December to celebrate their achievements and announce the publication of The Active Citizen in an afternoon event in Westminster Hall.
Download The Active Citizen publication free

If you have an interest in active citizenship and would like to attend the London launch of the publication, the WEA's Yorkshire and Humber Region have a small number of tickets available for WEA website readers. Contact Robbie Noble on rnoble@wea.org.uk for further information.