Here's a few paragraphs of them. Choose what you like.
Citizens who choose not to fulfil their civic duties face legal consequences. On the other hand civic responsibilities are fulfilled by choice. They are voluntary.
Civic duties include, for example, obeying the laws of the country, paying the taxes levied by the government, or serving on a jury or as a witness in court. Civic responsibilities encompass actions like registering to vote and voting, and serving on statutory boards and committees. The government, Civil Society organizations and the individual citizen all have a role to play not only in ensuring that the right conditions exist for the protection and enforcement of fundamental rights, but also for the exercise of civic duties and responsibilities.
Here are some notable examples of civic responsibilities. It is the responsibility of citizens
to take action wherever they can to improve their own economic, cultural and social development, and to promote self-reliance ;
to give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay;
to act with integrity, sharing with others, caring for others, promoting sound values, and guiding the next generation;
to participate actively in affairs that affect them by joining with others to create resources and facilities in their communities, and
to build leaders in their communities by identifying and nurturing people who can take responsibility for themselves and for other people.
Civil Society organizations also have civic responsibilities and a role to play in building and moulding good citizens. In order to do this they –
should help to create a good society by educating people in issues relating to active citizenship;
should play a central role in making citizens aware of their rights and responsibilities, and prepare them to undertake those rights and responsibilities;
should build community leadership through facilitating access to information and training, and
should play an effective role in promoting a strong, capable and responsible Civil Society which is able to work in partnership with an active and equally responsible State.
In view of the unequivocal obligations imposed on all States by universal human rights instruments, it is the responsibility of governments –
to uphold the constitution and ensure that fundamental human rights are guaranteed and observed;
to enable citizens to participate effectively in governance through freedom of expression and the media, freedom of association and assembly, and the right to information in all its forms;
to ensure the full practical realization of human rights including the economic, cultural, environmental, and social rights of all citizens with particular attention to disadvantaged groups such as children and the physically challenged.
to work with citizens and Civil Society organizations to ensure equal opportunities, and the equitable distribution of the resources of the State;
to sustain the physical, natural and human resources of the country; and invest in the infrastructure and other services that will enable citizens to develop appropriate economic and social ventures;
to create an enabling legal and political environment for the smooth functioning of Civil Society organizations;
to develop and implement measures, which involve Civil Society organizations and citizens, to avoid maladministration and ensure transparency and credibility in the body politic;
to share information, consult citizens and encourage debate on matters of national concern, so that citizens may be in a position to hold public leaders and officials accountable for their actions, and
to demonstrate tolerance of dissent. In this regard it is imperative that whether or not the voices are appreciative or critical, informed or ignorant, narrow or holistic, precise or vague, they have a right to be heard. Disagreement must not be treated as either a sin or a crime.
Madam Speaker, Honourable Members,
