In order that change is effectively undertaken all levels of government and other public funded organisations need to demonstrate good management I suggest ISO 9001 to achieve this Thank you

Why do so many groups in society appear to feel disengaged and 'left behind'? Because all too often the public servants have preconceived ideas and simply want support for their proposals as thousands of us recently found in the NHS consultations on Community Hospitals from Cumbria to Cornwall and back How could they be supported and encouraged to participate more in public life? Questionnaires without hidden bias, genuine seminars and meeting to promote community budget decisions and service provision levels. I have worked on these in South Somerset and in East Devon with success but decisive outreach to clubs and associations is needed or we get the same people turning up on each occasion Are there specific values or beliefs that are important within British society? Yes, many Christian and Secukar groups feel the PC and Sexual orientation issues have been given excessive attention compared to widespread issues of poverty alleviation, Care in old age, educational for everyday life for non-graduates or substance abuse. Even the language and jargon used is above the average citizen's understanding What role might citizenship education play in terms of promoting shared values and the skills necessary to engage in society? This will have marginal effect without educating public servants to communicate effectively and really listen during consultations. All too often the attitude is "We are the specialists on this and you do not fully understand the issues (are inferior)> What are the main barriers to civic engagement and – more importantly – how might they be removed? I work with many dedicated volunteer groups in my Councillor role. They are focused on a cause and can put years of effort into the issues they favour. Too often their comments are that public authorities do not really understand the problems because they do not have the breadth of vision or joined-up budgets. They feel that this is because of public service silos in departments and levels of government. The wasted bureaucracy in procedures irritates them because they want fast action in a slow procedure-laden process. Real delegation of funds and authority as low into community authorities as possible is a potentially key solution. Where are the examples of successful innovation, positive role models or new forms of civic engagement? Community budgeting Neighbourhood Plans Community Action Seminars with funds to allocate Real Consultation where facts are established and examples of success researched into from public and community sources regardless of origin A willingness to solve problems before widespread roll-out disasters like Universal Benefit and CCG/STPs

I would agree with each of the four comments which have preceeded mine and would add the following: I am not sure that anyone truly knows what British values are any more. Perhaps the first step toward achieving citizenship and civic engagement is to have the debate about what British values actually are. Once we have a broad agreement as to what British values are, they need to be communicated and they need to be taught in all schools. It should not be possible for schools to opt out on religious or any other grounds. Free speech should be encouraged as long is it does not support hatred or violence.

I believe that the problems of British society in regard to communities feeling disengaged and disenfranchised are multi faceted. As a black man of African Caribbean origin I believe that British Society has fundamentally failed to properly deal with its slavery and colonial past . Whilst Jewish people have been able to secure reparations for the Jewish holocaust the British establishment have never recognised the call for reparations for the African holocaust nor has it recognised its role in the exploitation theft, rape and robbery of non white areas of the world . So there is a cynicism when British values are purported to be of virtue when the reality is that racism slavery and colonial exploitation are central to British values as it is the enactment of these values that created the wealth that Britain enjoys at the expense of those predominantly black areas of the world who still feel the effects of that exploitation economically physically and mentally, As well as experiencing continual poverty and exploitation for the majority . Black communities in the UK see the expression of that colonial and racist legacy in their collective disproportionate experiences of education, health employment, the police and and judicial system . Racial discrimination is alive and kicking in 21st century Britain and the measures in place to stop it are by an large ineffective.

There are too many instances in our current society of people having things done to them rather than with them. Many of today's adults disengaged as children or teens and it can be difficult to re-engage them; there may be a tendency to think "they don't mean me" when invited to engage so a personalised targeted approach may be required. I think the key is to engage with the children and keep them engaged throughout by giving them ownership of any changes and real co-operation in designing services with them not to them. They will hopefully then grow up to be adults who are engaged and feel like they make a difference.

The reasons for widespread civic disengagement range from the small and parochial (which are important), to the structural and institutional, including the changing nature of the economy, and the suspicion of, and disrespect for political institutions. All of this is bad for democracy, and ultimately corrodes it, so it must be dealt with as a matter of urgency. Education on these matters, including 'modelling' how democracy works, is part of a solution. When I taught politics to adult returners to education, I was surprised at how many intelligent and serious people knew little about the basics of democratic politics, from political philosophies, to the system of law and government. That must be rectified. The respect for democratic values follows from inducing people into them, and can't be taught as slogans. But all of this is minor compared with the major task of restoring power and significance to local and regional government, and ensuring that the votes of all citizens count for something. That means the root and branch reform of the constitution, from the hyper-local, to the functioning of the Union. It also means electoral reform, which would,probably lead to a change in the alignment of the party system.

My name is Paul Milton Disabilites Advisor, I'm writing and representing the disabilities community (partly) with this post and comment.The subject of Civic Engagement is basically looking at how can we mold and make a well rounded person and civilian and individual but it needs to take into account the hurdles and inequalities.It poses "How we can engage people better and more?" it's a big question to ask when we can't address the basic's such as homelessness, prejudice, discrimination,bullying, worker's right's, etc and we are drastically failing people with autism and disabilities. The system in place isn't cut out to support a small minority where a minority keep them selves to them selves because of not being excepted and not being able to be as aspi or intergrated as they like. A lot of engagement relies on the local infrastructure in place, councils and county councils etc from basic transport access to political control of the area. Political control plays a big part whether the help is there or not or accountability and transparency is there of not. This question harks back to brexit and the issues facing our country the issues have always been there regardless of brexit the "rich" and the "poor" "Public Sector" and "Private Sector" the have's and have not's.I've witnessed and heard on numerous occasions some terrible stories of people with disabilites begging for help and assistance,and hearing people angry at how they don't feel represented or their opinion or voice not heard or as one girl told me she was told her vote was wasted for what she believed in. If we want to engage the minority within society better we need to address the issues facing these minorities where background, ethnicity, class, and gender,orientation, aren't issues where all routes are open and accessible and not for the elite where we can dream and aspire to be more than we are and realize those dreams. British Values:- What it means to be British means different things to different people, I was brought up to do the right thing by people where if I went round my grandparents house they would offer up food off their plates, food for two making three, where neighbours looked out for one another now everything has changed.Britian is looking tired washed out and backward we've begun to settle and get lapsed and I'm saddened when I hear representatives say they are sad and ashamed to call themselves British when we need them the most. Britian has changed so much but we must try to see the best in people that we/they are capable of some amazing and wonderful things if given the chance, I'm proud to say I'm British. You've got to take into account so many aspects religion faith etc to some some things matter to others they don't it's getting the balance right and (representing all.) Citizen Education:- Citizen Education is aimed at targeting extremism and again making a rounded individual through citizenship connections.I think asking the educational system to do more is a big ask especially for teacher's who have to juggle a number of different things and then add this to the mix as well.A lot has to come from the parents instilling morals and principals knowing what's wrong and what's right. You just need to look at the news two youngsters brought up in a well good background made no difference, it was their choice and the influences around.It's human natures free will this question and topic is bordering on genetic's and past on traits etc whether a good person is a good person and the standards we put on society. I personally want to achieve and do the right thing by people, whilst other people I know have chosen a different path but it's for them to choose and only they can find their true path and destiny in life. Civic Engagment Barriers:- As mentioned at local level council's and county councils transparency and accountability is key it all depends how far the control goes, "the reach" and whether issues are addressed or not.Proper equality is the only answer.

1. Have such groups ever been engaged? Not sure that this is a new phenomenon. In any event I doubt that it is something that can be remedied by parliamentary action. However, politicians supporting membership of civil society groups such as trades unions and political parties themselves might have a small impact. Parties themselves need to develop a more inclusive offer. Not just armies of canvassers and leaflet deliverers but offer a social side too such as Sweden's SPD in the past and the days of the Young Conservatives' as a marriage bureau. 2. No, I do not see any values that are specifically British. Even support for the monarchy, though high, would exclude 20% of us who are republicans. Not right that we should feel that our Britishness is in question because we do not hold with one particular political institution. Actually, the closest we have to shared vales we share with the rest of Europe. I would like to see our shared European values promoted more. I would also like to see reason and expertise given more respect (but not unquestioned of course) in our national debates. Too often an irrational or emotion driven response is seen as equally valid to that of a reasoned argument.

National values come from a common cultural heritage. Mass immigration and the allied policy of multiculturalism work against this. I believe that much of the disengagement within society stems from this; it applies not only to immigrants and their descendants , but also to young indigenous people who copy their attitudes. The Traditional British Attitudes are Fairness, Honesty, Justice, Freedom and a Commitment to Society. These all have their roots in Christian doctrine and are generally respected by all regardless of religious faith or lack of it. Increasing secularism and moral relativism are slowly eroding respect these societal norms. This has been evidenced by the cynical satires constantly pumped out by the media since the 1960s. I think that a citizenship programme based on the Traditional British Values outlined above would be a good idea, but especially for the young - starting as young as possible. A major barrier to civic engagement is the modern Liberal Fundamentalism which tries to gag and dismiss any views which are different to its own Accepted Wisdom. This acts like a subtle form of censorship which means that anyone expressing a view different from the Liberal Activists is written off as 'obviously wrong'. This is very demotivating and alienating. This can only be overcome by fostering a culture of genuinely open debate and discussion, where all views can be expressed without fear of personal disfavour.

People are disengaged by unemployment and too often civic engagement is associated with Corporate Social Responsibility and Pro Bono, both of which are only possible for taxpayers.Dietary requirements are often a barrier to engagement and cohesion as there are many foods that some groups will not or cannot eat.Many cultural events are successful because they clearly promote one culture and stick to the point, e.g. different recipes for Jerk Chicken at Notting Hill Carnival, poultry or beef at Christmas which is a Christian festival and celebration of British culture. The newest and most successful form of social engagement I hsve seen is people participating in food production from farm to fork by putting Christmas lunch on the table, planting, harvesting and digging fresh produce on Christmas morning.