Actions for Strand Three (Junior Cert CSPE): Revision Notes

Actions for Strand Three

Why take action?

Strand Three focuses on democracy in action - this means understanding how decisions are actually made in our society and learning how young people can influence and participate in the democratic process. These practical activities help you understand not just what democracy is, but how it works in real life.

Suggested actions

1. Run for "election" - posters and badges

This activity lets you experience what it's like to be a political candidate. You can imagine running for a class representative position or student council role. Create professional-looking campaign posters and badges that showcase your policies and priorities. For example, your campaign might focus on more sports facilities or making your school climate-friendly.

This exercise teaches you valuable skills in communication and persuasion, showing you how politicians share their ideas with voters and try to win support.

2. Conduct a survey on school decision-making

Research how democratic your school really is by asking your classmates important questions like: "Do you feel your voice is heard in school?" and "How could decision-making be improved?"

After gathering responses, present your findings to the student council, teachers, or principal. This activity highlights areas where students want more say in decisions that affect them. It's a practical way to understand how surveys can influence policy and give people a voice in democracy.

3. Participate in a PR election count

Ireland uses a voting system called Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote (PR-STV). This might sound complicated, but you can understand it by counting ballot papers in your classroom and comparing the results with a different system, such as First Past the Post.

This hands-on experience shows you how different voting systems can dramatically affect who gets elected and how power is distributed.

4. Organise a mock election or referendum

Hold a school vote alongside a real Irish election or referendum, then compare your results with the national outcome. This fascinating exercise helps you discover whether young people's views align with adult voters, and can reveal interesting differences in priorities and perspectives between age groups.

5. Create a short video or animation

Make complex political concepts easier to understand by creating visual content that explains different systems of government. For example, you could compare Parliamentary Democracy (like Ireland's system) with Presidential Democracy (like the USA's system). Videos and animations make these concepts more accessible and memorable for your peers.

6. Debate: "Young people don't need the vote to have power"

This thought-provoking debate encourages critical thinking about political participation. Explore arguments on both sides:

Arguments for: Young people can influence politics through activism, climate strikes, and social media campaigns - they don't need voting rights to make their voices heard.

Arguments against: Without voting rights for under-18s, young people's formal political voice remains limited, and they can't directly choose the politicians who make decisions about their future.

7. Design a game or infographic on rights and courts

Create engaging visual projects that explain how important institutions work, such as the Equality Tribunal, European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), or International Criminal Court (ICC).

For example, design a flowchart or develop a role-play that shows how a case moves from initial complaint to final judgement. This makes the legal system more understandable and shows how ordinary citizens can seek justice.

8. Visual project on discrimination

Create a powerful visual display using only images (no words) to illustrate the nine grounds of discrimination protected under Irish law. For example, use a wheelchair symbol to represent disability discrimination, a rainbow flag for sexual orientation, or images of families to represent family status discrimination.

This creative approach makes discrimination law clearer and more memorable while developing your understanding of equality rights.

9. Investigate media coverage of an issue

Develop your media literacy skills by comparing how different news outlets report the same story. Look at sources like RTÉ, The Irish Times, and The Journal.ie, then analyse: What facts do they emphasise? What opinions do they include? Are there differences in tone or perspective?

This critical analysis builds your ability to identify bias and understand how media framing can influence public opinion.

10. Create a "How-to guide" for active online citizens

Develop a practical guide that helps your peers navigate digital democracy safely and effectively. Include:

• Glossary of terms: Explain concepts like echo chamber (online spaces where you only hear similar opinions), fact-checking (verifying information accuracy), and trolling (deliberately provocative online behaviour)
• Platform profiles: Describe how Twitter/X, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube can be used for political engagement
• Case studies: Highlight examples of positive digital campaigns

11. Investigate politicians' use of social media

Research how Irish politicians like TDs (members of parliament), councillors, and MEPs (Members of European Parliament) use platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Analyse what issues they highlight and how they interact with citizens online. This investigation helps you understand how modern politics adapts to digital spaces and how politicians try to connect with different age groups.