Active citizenship is the practice of people being engaged in and informed about what happens in their communities and across the country. It also means people being empowered to use their voices to try to effect change and to shape the decisions that affect them.
In Wales, that includes decisions that are made in the Senedd. Since the Senedd was created, more and more powers have been transferred from the UK Government, based in Westminster, to the Senedd, and to the Welsh Government, based in Cardiff Bay. This process is known as devolution.
As the Senedd has grown in age and responsibility, and as the Welsh Government has taken on more power, so too has the civic life of Wales developed. This means that there are now more opportunities for people to participate in, and to shape, decision-making in Wales and, in turn, become active citizens.
Politicians, government bodies, and the organisations that work with them have a role to play in enabling change. The media has an important role in influencing it and informing people about politics and current affairs. Education is also essential in giving people the skills and knowledge they need to do it well.
That’s why The Open University in Wales has brought together this collection of free online resources to help you think critically about society and politics in Wales, and to help you use your voice as a citizen.
Mae'r casgliad yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg. | This collection is also available in Welsh.
Free online learning resources
Courses, articles and videos available on OpenLearn.
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Fake news in Wales
Watch now to access more details of Fake news in WalesThe ways in which information is reported, explained and shared in Wales, especially as the Senedd has gained more power, highlight several important issues about the effects that ‘fake news’ can have for a democratic society.
Level: 1 Introductory
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How to read the news
Read now to access more details of How to read the newsFive tips to help you identify ‘fake news’ and think critically about our media-saturated society.
Level: 1 Introductory
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6 ways to make your voice heard in Wales
Read now to access more details of 6 ways to make your voice heard in WalesOne of the fundamental principles of democracy is that the voice of citizens should be heard. Wales’ democracy, now more than two decades old, is no different.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Introduction to making political and social change
Learn more to access more details of Introduction to making political and social changeWritten in a moment of multiple crises – environmental, economic, political, social and health-related – ‘An Introduction to making political and social change’ gives you a grounding in some of the key citizenship skills and information you will need to intervene in the world as it changes around you. This free course explores how you can make ...
Level: 1 Introductory
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Understanding devolution in Wales
Learn more to access more details of Understanding devolution in WalesThis free course charts the transformation of the Welsh devolution settlement in the 20 years following the referendum on devolution in 1997. You will consider how an Assembly with minimal public support and limited law-making powers became a Parliament with the power to set taxes. You will explore some of the biggest challenges facing ...
Level: 1 Introductory
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Lessons we can learn from leadership in Wales
Read now to access more details of Lessons we can learn from leadership in WalesIf you are looking for inspiration to kickstart sustainable, fairer and innovative change, you could do far worse than looking to the example of Wales.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Unlocking the diversity of the past
Read now to access more details of Unlocking the diversity of the pastHistorian Norena Shopland explains why our historical knowledge and perception is lacking when it comes to stories of diversity, and what we can do to change this.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Sharpening Your Critical Thinking
Read now to access more details of Sharpening Your Critical ThinkingWhat can you do to sharpen up your critical thinking? Mark Pinder and Paul-François Tremlett explain a few things to keep in mind when assessing other people’s arguments, and also when offering your own.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Critical thinking – A skill and a process
Read now to access more details of Critical thinking – A skill and a processTo be successful at learning we need to do more than just remember information - critical thinking is essential. Anne Wesemann explains the benefits...
Level: 1 Introductory
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Sex stats for the British population
Take part now to access more details of Sex stats for the British populationThere are lots of myths and misunderstandings about sex and it can be tricky to get to the truth. This easy to use interactive tool gives you access to robust data collected by Natsal-3, a survey collected from thousands of adults living all over Britain.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Is ‘fake news’ still a problem for society?
Watch now to access more details of Is ‘fake news’ still a problem for society?Disinformation is a defining feature of our time. Why has it become such a problem, and what can we do about it?
Level: 1 Introductory
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Contemporary Wales
Learn more to access more details of Contemporary WalesThis free course provides an accessible and lively social science account of contemporary Wales. It introduces key aspects of the economy, society, politics and culture of Wales, providing a wealth of up-to-date evidence that is organised around core social science concepts and theories, to help you make sense of a changing nation.
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How to be a critical reader
Learn more to access more details of How to be a critical readerIn this free course you will focus on how to be a critical reader. Reading critically is an essential skill at university. It means being aware of your own purposes and opinions as you read and being able to recognise the writer's purposes and opinions in their writing.
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Social media - fake news, filter bubbles and sharing wisely!
Watch now to access more details of Social media - fake news, filter bubbles and sharing wisely!Meet Frank and travel with him on his adventures through the (sometimes foggy) realms of social media. Explore sharing, filter bubbles and fake news- maybe you can learn from Frank's mistakes with the help of Josie Long.
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History: Fake News, Conspiracy Theories and Disinformation
Watch now to access more details of History: Fake News, Conspiracy Theories and DisinformationDr Arddun Arwyn from Aberystwyth University's Department of History & Welsh History presents Fake News, Conspiracy Theories and Disinformation: Past, Present and Future.
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LGBTQ hub
Learn more to access more details of LGBTQ hubTake a look at our collection of free resources focusing on LGBTQ+ history.
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Race and Ethnicity Hub
Learn more to access more details of Race and Ethnicity HubCheck out our FREE resources - from articles to courses - that explore the themes of race, racism and ethnicity.
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Sustainability Hub
Read now to access more details of Sustainability HubThe way we live impacts our Earth, it is changing the climate and threatening livelihoods, species and ecosystems. It is clear our current strategies of supporting our way of life can't continue. Globalisation means it isn't always easy to see the impacts our behaviour has on others and the natural world, or what we can to make more sustainable ...
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Introducing the voluntary sector
Learn more to access more details of Introducing the voluntary sectorThis free course, Introducing the voluntary sector, will guide you through some of the distinctive features and values of the voluntary sector, how organisations are funded and involve volunteers and other ‘stakeholders’ in their work. It will also provide you with knowledge and skills you can apply to your own work or volunteering as well as ...
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Social psychology and politics
Learn more to access more details of Social psychology and politicsWhy are social psychologists interested in politics, and how can they help us understand things like social movements, protest and activism? This free course, Social psychology and politics, moves away from a state-centric study of politics and, using insights from social psychology, explores the role of identity, personality and culture for ...
Research
Citizens’ Voices, People’s News: Making the Media Work for Wales
An IWA report, in partnership with The Open University in Wales
This research was commissioned by The Open University in Wales (OU) and the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA), who are working together with Welsh citizens to explore how access to, and understanding of, the media, news and information in Wales can be improved, especially in an era of ‘fake news’.Wales’ media faces a crisis: funding cuts, the closure of news services, threats to public service broadcasting and fewer opportunities for journalists to work in Wales have for some years been the signs of a democracy with a diminishing public square.
In order to generate solutions to this crisis, in summer 2022 the IWA and the OU in Wales commissioned a Citizens’ Panel of fifteen people from all walks of life in Wales to discuss these issues in depth and to come up with recommendations for solutions. They found strong backing for measures that would allow Wales to support its media more effectively, and put the interests of citizens and communities at its heart.
Useful links
Resources and information from other organisations.
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Senedd Research
Learn more to access more details of Senedd ResearchImpartial information on the latest topics under consideration at the Welsh Parliament.
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Institute of Welsh Affairs
Learn more to access more details of Institute of Welsh AffairsThe IWA is an independent think-tank. You can read about the latest political thinking in Wales and join discussions and debates.
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Wales Council for Voluntary Action
Learn more to access more details of Wales Council for Voluntary ActionWCVA is the national membership body for voluntary organisations in Wales, you can find lots of useful resources for volunteering in Wales.
More OpenLearn collections
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OpenLearn Wales hub
Learn more to access more details of OpenLearn Wales hubLearning for life, for work, for free. OpenLearn Wales: The home of bilingual, free learning in Wales.
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Wellbeing and mental health collection
Read now to access more details of Wellbeing and mental health collectionThe mental health and wellbeing collection (Wales) provides a hub of free, bilingual resources that aim to promote positive wellbeing and support good mental health.
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University Ready hub
Learn more to access more details of University Ready hubA collection of resources from all of Wales' universities to help you get started with higher education.
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