About us
The Foundation for Responsible Citizens is an independent Hungarian NGO, founded in 2018 for the purpose of promoting basic public affairs, law and civic education. We aim to contribute to the strengthening of the democratic society, the increase of active participation in public life and the development of responsible thinking by providing the necessary knowledge and skills.
It is our duty to fill the gap in the existing general theoretical and practical knowledge and to develop these into skills. Our aim is to equip the participants with the ability to become open-minded, conscious citizens who are interested in public affairs, can understand public matters and make responsible decisions.
We hope that, in the long run, our efforts to teach individual critical thinking will contribute not only to the increase of involvement in public life but consequently to the advancement of our society. To achieve our goals, the Foundation is engaged in organising informative and educational activities and publishes research papers. We also organise courses and both professional and cultural events.
Programs
I. Classmate program
We established our Classmate program specifically for high schoolers. Its purpose on one hand is to prepare them for the final exam in civic education and on the other hand to expand their knowledge in public affairs, economics and law by providing a new approach to social science education. It is important that students understand these matters, so they may get inspired to participate more actively in their local communities as well as in the public life of the country.
We believe that the current frontal teaching methodology in high schools is outdated. We have to meet the expectations of the 21st century by developing the critical skill sets in creativity, team work, communication and individual thinking. That is why our lessons are based on interactions and games. We help students utilise their existing theoretical knowledge in a practical manner to transform it into useful skills.
We take advantage of technological opportunities in order to create interactive, visual presentations as well as simulations and games that fit into 45 minutes lessons. The lecturers are university students who are experts in their area and, due to the small age difference, can connect with the students easily.
Lectures
1. Hungary’s electoral system
Length: 45-50 minutes
Type: simulation
This lesson is divided into two parts: in the first half we present the most important terminology, and the differences between various European electoral systems with a special focus on the Hungarian one; then in the second half the students participate in simulated parliamentary elections with fictional parties. We hope that this way the pupils understand the Hungarian electoral system easier.
2. Hungarian legislation
Length: 45-50 minutes
Type: simulation
Within this lesson we introduce the students to the lawmaking process in Hungary. In the first 15 minutes they learn about the basic notions, such as parliament, party, fraction, or constitutional court. Then, during the second part of the session we divide the class into two groups to work on a bill of their own choice to experience the lawmaking process.
3. Political and economic institutions in Hungary
Length: 45 minutes
Type: interactive lesson
This session introduces the main political and economic institutions of Hungary in an entertaining way with the help of pictures, videos, and anecdotes. The students learn about how a government is formed and who its members are, what the duties of a minister and a state secretary consist of, how the Constitutional Court works, or who, how and when can ask for help from the Fundamental Rights Commissioner. The lesson covers the three main economic institutions (the National Audit Office, the National Fiscal Council, and the Hungarian Central Bank) as well.
4. Elections to the European Parliament
Length: 45 minutes
Type: simulation
This lesson consists of two parts. In the first 15 minutes, the students learn briefly about the EU, covering in particular the EP, as it is the only EU institution whose members are directly elected by the citizens themselves. Then, in the second part they can use their newly gained knowledge within a simulated EP election, from forming fictional political parties to voting and allocating the mandates together.
We hope that this way we can bring the EU, and the EP in particular, closer to the students, and essentially decrease the democratic deficit between the EU and its citizens in the long run.
5. Introduction to Economics
Length: 45 minutes
Type: interactive lesson
Financial and economics related topics are seldom covered in high schools yet many encounter the basic concepts and phenomena during their studies without which it is difficult to live.
How do banks work? What is the government’s role in the economy? How is tax money spent? These are some of the questions we try to answer during this interactive, discussion based lesson. Our goal is to help students understand and contextualise frequently heard but never actually explained terms regarding Economics.
6. Contradictions of the world economy
Length: 45 minutes
Type: interactive lesson
Within this lesson we explain the meaning and brief history of globalisation, introduce relevant Economics terminology, as well as highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of globalisation. We highlight the relevance of the EU and its most important policies related to the world economy.
As globalisation is a highly debated topic right now, we present arguments from each side so students can form well-considered opinions on the matter.
7. University guide
Length: 45 minutes
Type: interactive
We provide information and share our own experiences about the admission process, the first semester, and university life in general. Furthermore, we are introducing various websites and apps to the students to provide the tools that will help them navigate the vast labirinth of the university system right from day one.
II. Professional events
Keeping our goals in sight, the primary objective of our events, which are open to the public, is to educate. We are planning to launch a variety of interactive, informative and fun activities in the near future, such as quiz nights, debates, or workshops.
III. Blog
Besides our educational activity in high schools, we wish to bring the most important aspects of public life closer to the younger generations on a written platform. We set up our blog, polalap.blog.hu, in the Spring of 2020, to explain the frequently heard and used concepts, phenomena, and events of the public and economic life as simply as possible, while remaining scientifically accurate. We use relevant studies and scientific background to explain subjects thoroughly while also raising the readers’ interest in politics, with focus on public affairs.
IV. Scientific research
In the Autumn of 2020 we are conducting a qualitative and quantitative study to reveal the current state of civic education in high schools in Hungary.