Active Citizens programme

Active Citizens is an international social leadership programme developed by the British Council and delivered with partners in more than 60 countries. The initiative brought people together to explore identity, dialogue, and responsibility, while supporting them to design and lead their own community projects.

My journey with Active Citizens began in Lebanon, where I worked alongside our partner organisations DPNA and Laban with youth groups and community activists on local challenges and opportunities.
Later, I trained facilitators from across the MENA region, equipping them to take the programme into their own communities.

After moving to Aotearoa New Zealand, I continued as a facilitator in partnership with SPLICE and the Office of Ethnic Communities.

The programme’s methodology was based on a “learning journey” that nurtured self-awareness, empathy, and practical leadership skills. Across the world it led to thousands of social action projects: from grassroots environmental initiatives to inclusive education programmes.

For me, it was a chance to connect local work with a global movement, contributing to fairer and more connected societies.

Four people standing in front of a white banner at Hyde Park for Peace event, smiling for the camera. The banner has colorful bubbles and Arabic text, along with logos of British Council, Active Citizens, and DPNA. Two bulletin boards with sticky notes are also visible.
A room with a British Council banner on the left side that reads "Women Participating in Public Life" and features a woman in a blue headscarf. The wall behind has a large poster covered with pink, orange, and yellow sticky notes arranged in a pattern.
People participating in a brainstorming or planning activity, sitting and standing around a large sheet of paper on the floor filled with colorful sticky notes.
Colorful hand-painted sign advertising 'Active Citizens' at AROHA Market, with hashtags #ActiveCitizens and #AAF2021, decorated with fern leaf and heart motifs.
Group of diverse young people posing together at an indoor event, with banners titled 'Active Citizens' and 'Splice' promoting courses on social leadership and community development.
A flyer advertising an event for potential social leaders and activators, with photos of diverse people, including children, adults, and seniors, smiling and engaging in activities. The flyer is from the British Council and Spice, promoting active citizenship training in Auckland, New Zealand, on November 1st from 6 to 8:30 pm at Pioneer Women's Hall.