• Chapter#01

• Introduction to Civics and Community engagement

• •Prepared and organized by: Faisal Khan

• •Department of Chemistry GPGC Mardan

• What is Civics?

Civics:

History: The history of civics trace back to the ancient Greek city-states, where citizens actively
participated in decision-making processes and governance.

Definitions:

Def#01: Civics is the study of rights and duties of citizens.

Def#02: Civics is about learning how societies work, understanding the rights and duties of citizens,
and being a good member of your community and country.

Def#03: Civics is learning how to be a responsible and active participant in the place where you live.

Meaning: The word "civics" has its origin in the Latin term “Civis", which means "citizen."

Origin of word ‘Civics’: The term "civics" itself emerged in the late 19th century, to denote the study
of rights and duties associated with being a citizen of a community or nation.

Scope of Civics: Some key components of the scope of civics:

1. Government Structures and Processes: Understanding the structure of government at local,

regional, national, and international levels, including branches of government, systems of
governance (e.g., democracy, monarchy, dictatorship), and the functions and responsibilities of
government institutions.
2. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens: Knowing the rights and freedoms guaranteed by law,
such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion obeying laws, voting, and participating in
community activities.
3. Democratic Principles and Values: Learning about democratic principles such as rule of law,
equality, justice, accountability, and respect for human rights.
4. Civic Engagement and Participation: Encouraging active participation in civic life through
activities such as voting, volunteering, community service, advocacy, and involvement in public
affairs to promote the common good and address societal issues.
5. Decision-Making: Examining the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of public policies,
understanding how decisions are made, and analyzing their impact on individuals, communities,
and society as a whole.
6. Social and Political Issues: Exploring contemporary social and political issues, including topics
such as immigration, environmental sustainability, human rights, economic inequality.
• •Prepared and organized by: Faisal Khan

• •Department of Chemistry GPGC Mardan

• What is Community?

Community:

Word ‘Community’ Origin: The word "community" traces its origins to the Latin word
"communitas," which means “Shared or Common”

Definition: A community refers to a group of people who share common interests,

characteristics, values, or goals.

Types of Communities:

1. Geographical Communities: These are based on physical proximity, such as

neighborhoods, towns, or cities.
2. Cultural Communities: Defined by shared cultural practices, traditions, language, or
ethnicity.
3. Virtual Communities: Formed through online platforms and social networks, where
individuals interact and share interests regardless of geographical location.
4. Interest-Based Communities: Built around shared hobbies, professions, beliefs, or
activities.
5. Professional Communities: Networks of individuals within the same industry or field
of expertise.
6. Religious Communities Groups united by shared religious beliefs, rituals, and
practices.

Characteristics:

1. Social Interaction: Communities facilitate social connections and relationships among members,
fostering a sense of solidarity and support.
2. Shared Identity: Members of a community often identify with common values, beliefs, or
experiences, strengthening their sense of belonging.
3. Mutual Support: Communities offer emotional, practical, and social support to their members
during times of need, crisis, or celebration.
4. Collective Action: Communities can mobilize resources and efforts to address common
challenges, advocate for change, or pursue shared goals.
5. Diversity and Inclusion: Healthy communities embrace diversity and strive to create inclusive
environments where all members feel valued and respected.
6. Sense of Place: Geographical communities provide individuals with a sense of rootedness and
attachment to a particular place or locality.

Functions Of Community:
 1. Socialization: Communities play a vital role in socializing
individuals, transmitting cultural norms, values, and
traditions across generations.
2. Identity Formation: Membership in a community
contributes to individuals' sense of identity and self-
concept, shaping their values, beliefs, and behaviors.
3. Support System: Communities offer emotional, practical,
and social support networks, enhancing individual well-
being and resilience.
4. Resource Sharing: Members of a community pool
resources, knowledge, and skills to address common needs,
challenges, or opportunities.
5. Civic Engagement: Communities serve as platforms for civic
participation, democratic deliberation, and collective action,
empowering citizens to shape their shared environment and
governance.

• •Prepared and organized by: Faisal Khan

• •Department of Chemistry GPGC Mardan

• What is Community Engagement?

Community Engagement:
Definition: Community engagement is a dynamic process aimed at involving individuals,
groups and organizations in various aspects of decision-making, problem-solving, and
resource allocation within a community.

Components of Community Engagements:

1. Inclusivity: Community engagement seeks to involve diverse voices representing

various demographics, background values to ensure that all stakeholders have a
seat at the tables, and perspectives within the community.
2. Collaboration: Collaboration involves partnerships between community
members, organizations, government agencies, businesses, and other
stakeholders to address common concerns and achieve shared goals.
3. Empowerment: Community engagement empowers individuals and groups by
providing them with opportunities to participate actively in decision-making
processes that affect their lives.
 4. Communication: Effective communication involves transparent and open
dialogue, active listening, and the exchange of information to build trust and
foster understanding among stakeholders.
5. Capacity Building: Community engagement often includes initiatives to enhance
the skills, knowledge, and resources available within the community.

• •Prepared and organized by: Faisal Khan

• •Department of Chemistry GPGC Mardan

• Leadership

Leadership:

Definition: Leadership is a concept that involves guiding and inspiring individuals or groups towards a
common goal.

Word ‘Leadership’ Origin: The word "leadership" originated from the “Old English” which means "to
guide" or "to lead”.

Leadership Styles:

1. Autocratic Leadership/Authoritative Leadership: In this style, the leader makes decisions

without consulting others and expects followers to comply with directives.
2. Democratic Leadership: Also known as participative leadership, this style involves leaders
soliciting input from team members before making decisions. It encourages collaboration and
empowers team members.
3. Laissez-Faire Leadership: This style is characterized by a hands-off approach where leaders
provide minimal guidance or direction, allowing team members to make their own decisions.
4. Transformational Leadership: Transformational leaders inspire and motivate their teams by
setting high expectations, encouraging creativity, and fostering a positive work environment.
5. Transactional Leadership: Transactional leaders focus on setting clear goals and expectations for
their team members and providing rewards or punishments based on performance.
6. Servant Leadership: Servant leaders prioritize the needs of their team members above their
own, focusing on serving and supporting others to achieve common goals.
7. Charismatic leaders possess strong personalities and are capable of inspiring and influencing
others through their vision and passion.

Effective Leadership qualities :

1. Visionery: Effective leadership have a clear vision of where they want to go and inspire others to
follow.
2. Integrity: They act with honesty, transparency, and consistency, earning the trust and respect of
their followers.
3. Empathy: They understand and empathize with the needs, concerns, and perspectives of their
team members.
 4. Decisiveness: Leaders are capable of making tough decisions, even in uncertain or challenging
situations.
5. Communication Skills: They excel in both verbal and non-verbal communication, articulating
their vision and goals effectively.
6. Adaptability: Leaders can navigate through change and uncertainty, adjusting their strategies
and approaches as needed.
7. Accountability: They take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, setting an example for
others to follow.

• •Prepared and organized by: Faisal Khan

• •Department of Chemistry GPGC Mardan

• Voluntarism

Voluntarism:

Origin of word ‘Voluntarism’ : The term "voluntarism" originates from the Latin word "voluntas,"
meaning "will" or "volition".

Definition: Voluntarism is a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the importance of
voluntary action and free will in human interactions.

Principles Of Voluntarism:

1. Free Will: Voluntarism asserts that individuals possess free will and are capable of making
choices independent of external determinism.
2. Moral Autonomy: It upholds the idea that individuals have the capacity to discern right from
wrong and to act in accordance with their own moral principles.
3. Voluntary Association: Voluntarism advocates for the formation of social relationships,
organizations, and communities based on voluntary cooperation and mutual consent.
4. Non-Aggression: Central to voluntarism is the principle of non-aggression, which prohibits the
initiation of force or coercion against others and promotes peaceful interaction.
5. Individual Liberty: Voluntarism champions individual liberty as a fundamental value,
emphasizing the rights of individuals to live according to their own choices and preferences, as
long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others.

Applications of Voluntarism:

1. Political Philosophy: In political theory, voluntarism aligns with libertarianism, advocating for
minimal government intervention in individual affairs and emphasizing the importance of
voluntary interaction and free markets.
 2. Civil Society: Voluntarism promotes the role of civil society organizations, such as charities,
religious groups, and community associations, in addressing social issues and providing services,
without reliance on state coercion.
3. Ethics and Morality: Voluntarism offers a framework for ethical decision-making based on
personal autonomy and individual responsibility, rather than external authority or societal
norms.
4. Economic Philosophy: In economics, voluntarism supports the principles of free trade, private
property rights, and voluntary exchange, rejecting coercive measures such as taxation and
government regulation.

• •Prepared and organized by: Faisal Khan

• •Department of Chemistry GPGC Mardan

• Community Organization

Community Organization:

Definition: Community organization refers to the process of mobilizing and empowering community
members to address common issues, improve living conditions, and promote social change within their
localities.

Key Components:

1. Identification of Needs: Community organization begins with identifying the needs, concerns,
and priorities of the community through various means such as surveys, focus groups, and
community forums.
2. Empowerment and Participation: It emphasizes the active involvement and empowerment of
community members in decision-making processes, project implementation, and advocacy
efforts.
3. Capacity Building: Community organization often involves capacity building activities aimed at
enhancing the skills, knowledge, and resources of community members to effectively address
issues and achieve desired goals.
4. Networking and Collaboration: Collaboration with local organizations, government agencies,
and other stakeholders is essential for leveraging resources, sharing expertise, and fostering
collective action.
5. Advocacy and Social Change: Community organization seeks to advocate for policies, programs,
and systemic changes that promote social justice, equity, and sustainable development within
the community and beyond.

Importance and Benefits:

 1. Enhanced Social Capital: Community organization fosters social connections, trust, and solidarity
among community members, which are essential for addressing collective challenges and
achieving common goals.
2. Local Empowerment: By involving community members in decision-making processes and
problem-solving activities, community organization promotes local ownership and
empowerment.
3. Effective Service Delivery: Through collaborative efforts and resource mobilization, community
organization enhances the delivery of services, programs, and interventions tailored to the
specific needs of the community.
4. Promotion of Social Justice: Community organization facilitates the identification and addressing
of systemic inequalities, discrimination, and injustices within communities, promoting greater
equity and social inclusion.
5. Sustainable Development: By building local capacities, promoting community resilience, and
fostering environmental stewardship, community organization contributes to the long-term
sustainability and well-being of communities.

• •Prepared and organized by: Faisal Khan

• •Department of Chemistry GPGC Mardan

• Resources Mobilization

Resources Mobilization:

Definition: Resource mobilization is the strategic management of both internal and external resources
to support the objectives and activities of an organization or project.

Types of Resources:

1. Financial Resources: Funds, budgets, grants, donations, investments.

2. Human Resources: Skills, knowledge, labor, expertise.
3. Material Resources: Equipment, infrastructure, supplies, technology.
4. Informational Resources: Data, research, reports, knowledge repositories.
5. Social Capital: Networks, partnerships, relationships, collaborations.
6. Time: Scheduling, time management, timelines.

Process of Resource Mobilization:

1. Assessment: Identify the resources needed to accomplish goals and objectives.

2. Planning: Develop strategies and plans to acquire, allocate, and utilize resources effectively.
3. Acquisition: Secure resources through various means such as fundraising, budgeting, grants,
loans, or partnerships.
4. Allocation: Distribute resources according to priorities and needs, ensuring optimal utilization.
5. Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuously track resource usage, assess effectiveness, and make
adjustments as necessary.
Importance of Resource Mobilization:

1. Implantations: Enables organizations to implement programs, projects, and initiatives

effectively.
2. Enhances sustainability: Enhance suntainability by ensuring adequate resources for long-term
operations and growth.
3. Exploration:Fosters innovation and creativity through the exploration of new funding sources
and partnerships.
4. Strenthening Organizations: Strengthens organizational resilience to external shocks and
challenges.

• •Prepared and organized by: Faisal Khan

• •Department of Chemistry GPGC Mardan

• Advocacy & Lobbying

Advocacy:

Origin Of word ‘Advocacy’: The word "advocacy" originates from the Latin word "advocatus," which is
the past participle of "advocare" which means “to support”.

Definition: Advocacy is the process of actively supporting a cause or issue in order to bring about change
or raise awareness.

Types of Advocacy:

1. Policy Advocacy: Advocating for changes in laws, regulations, or government policies to address
social, economic, or environmental issues.
2. Social Advocacy: Promoting social justice, equity, and human rights by challenging systemic
injustices, discrimination, or inequalities.
3. Legal Advocacy: Using legal strategies, litigation, or legal reforms to protect rights, seek justice,
or challenge injustices through the legal system.
4. Community Advocacy: Mobilizing communities, grassroots organizations, and stakeholders to
address local issues, empower communities, and promote collective action.
5. Corporate Advocacy: Engaging in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, ethical business
practices, and advocacy campaigns to address environmental sustainability, labor rights, and
social issues.

Key Components of Advocacy:

a. Research and Analysis: Understanding the issue, its root causes, stakeholders, and potential solutions
through research, data analysis, and evidence-based approaches.
b. Messaging and Communication: Crafting clear, compelling messages and narratives to raise
awareness, educate the public, and mobilize support for the cause or issue.

c. Coalition Building: Building partnerships, alliances, and coalitions with like-minded individuals,
organizations, and stakeholders to amplify voices, share resources, and increase collective impact.

d. Grassroots Mobilization: Engaging and mobilizing communities, grassroots supporters, volunteers,

and activists to take action, participate in campaigns, and advocate for change.

e. Policy Engagement: Engaging with policymakers, government officials, legislators, and decision-
makers through advocacy campaigns, lobbying efforts, public hearings, and policy briefings.

f. Monitoring and Evaluation: Assessing the impact, effectiveness, and outcomes of advocacy initiatives,
campaigns, and strategies through monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes.

• Lobbying

Lobbying:

Origin of word ‘Lobbying’: The term "lobbying" originated from the practice of individuals or interest
groups. This practice dates back to the early 19th century in the United States, where people would
gather in the lobbies of Congress to discuss and advocate for particular policies or interests.

Definition: Lobbying refers to the organized efforts by individuals, groups, or organizations to influence
government policies, decisions, or legislation to align with their interests or goals.

Key Components:

1. Advocacy: Lobbying involves advocating for specific policies, laws, regulations, or decisions that
benefit the interests of the lobbyists.
2. Communication: Lobbyists engage in various forms of communication with government officials,
including meetings, emails, phone calls, and written documents, to convey their viewpoints and
arguments.
3. Persuasion: Lobbyists use persuasive techniques to convince policymakers of the merits of their
positions, often leveraging data, research, and expert opinions to support their arguments.
4. Information Gathering: Lobbyists gather information about legislative proposals, regulatory
changes, and political developments to understand their potential impact on their interests and
to tailor their lobbying strategies accordingly.
5. Relationship Building: Lobbyists cultivate relationships with lawmakers, government officials,
and other stakeholders to gain access and influence in the policymaking process.
6. Ethical Considerations: Ethical considerations are essential in lobbying to ensure transparency,
integrity, and accountability in the interactions between lobbyists and government officials.

Kinds of Lobbying:
 1. Direct Lobbying: Direct lobbying involves direct communication with government officials, such
as meetings with legislators, government agency representatives, or executive branch officials.
2. Indirect Lobbying: Indirect lobbying includes efforts to influence public opinion, media coverage,
or grassroots movements to indirectly impact policymakers' decisions.
3. Grassroots Lobbying: Grassroots lobbying mobilizes the public or constituents to advocate for
specific policies or issues, often through letter-writing campaigns, petitions, or public
demonstrations.
4. Corporate Lobbying: Corporations engage in lobbying activities to promote their business
interests, influence regulatory decisions, or shape public policies that affect their industry.
5. Interest Group Lobbying: Interest groups, representing various sectors or constituencies, lobby
on behalf of their members or stakeholders to advance shared goals or agendas.

• •Prepared and organized by: Faisal Khan

• •Department of Chemistry GPGC Mardan

• Citizenship

Citizenship:

Definition: Citizenship refers to the legal status of belonging to a particular nation, entitling individuals
to certain rights, privileges, and responsibilities within that country.

Key Points in citizenship:

1. Legal Status: Citizenship is a legal status granted by a sovereign state to individuals who meet
the legal criteria for membership.
2. Rights and Privileges: Citizenship confers certain rights and privileges, such as the right to vote,
the right to work, the right to own property, and the right to receive protection from the state.
These rights may vary from country to country but generally include fundamental freedoms and
protections.
3. Responsibilities: Citizenship also entails responsibilities. These responsibilities may include
obeying the laws of the country, paying taxes, serving on juries, and defending the nation in
times of need, such as military service in some countries.

04.Modes of Acquisition: Citizenship can be acquired through various means, including:

1. Birth: Citizenship by birth occurs when a person is born within the territory of a country or when
one or both parents are citizens of that country.
2. Descent: Citizenship by descent is obtained through one or both parents who are citizens of a
country, regardless of where the individual is born.
3. Naturalization: Citizenship by naturalization involves a legal process by which individuals not
born in a country can become citizens through fulfilling specific requirements, such as residency,
language proficiency, and knowledge of the country's laws and history.
 4. Marriage: In some cases, individuals may acquire citizenship through marriage to a citizen of
another country, though the process and requirements vary widely.

05.Dual Citizenship: Some countries allow individuals to hold citizenship in more than one country
simultaneously. Dual citizenship can result from birth, descent, or naturalization, but not all
countries recognize or permit it.

06. Loss of Citizenship: Citizenship can be lost or revoked under certain circumstances, such as
renunciation, involuntary revocation due to criminal activity, or serving in the armed forces of a
foreign country without permission in some nations.

• •Prepared and organized by: Faisal Khan

• •Department of Chemistry GPGC Mardan

• Political Activism

Political Activism:

Definition: Political activism refers to the efforts individuals or groups undertake to promote, impede, or
direct social, political, economic, or environmental change.

Forms of Political Activism:

01.Protests and Demonstrations:

1. Mass Gatherings: People assemble in public spaces to express their grievances, demands, or
support for specific causes.
2. Marches and Rallies: Organized movements with clear messages and goals.
3. Sit-ins and Occupations: Nonviolent actions where participants occupy spaces to raise
awareness or pressure authorities.

02.Civil Disobedience: Deliberate violation of laws or regulations to challenge unjust policies or

systems.Examples include refusing to pay taxes, blocking traffic, or occupying government buildings.

03.Online Activism:

1.Utilizing social media platforms, online petitions, and digital campaigns to mobilize support, raise
awareness, and coordinate actions.

2.Hashtags, viral videos, and digital organizing play significant roles.

04.Community Organizing: 1.Grassroots efforts within communities to address local issues, mobilize
residents, and advocate for change.

2.Involves building networks, holding meetings, and developing strategies for collective action.
05.Lobbying and Advocacy: 1.Engaging with policymakers, legislators, and government officials to
influence laws, regulations, and policies.

2.Involves meetings, writing letters, testifying at hearings, and supporting or opposing political
candidates.

06.Boycotts and Economic Activism: Withholding support or patronage from businesses, products,
or services to protest unethical practices or policies. Economic pressure can be a potent tool for
change.

• THE END OF 1ST CHAPTER of Civics

• Prepared and organized by: Faisal Khan
• Department of Chemistr GPGC Mardan