Civil education

By El-Sayed Elewa

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Civil education is the way forward. We need to re-educate our children in this time of globalisation. We need to make sure that everyone's loyalty is to the nation, not to any sect or race. Globalisation has come as a shock to the collective psyche of many nations. As borders became less relevant, economic and educational systems became vulnerable to outside influence. Consequently, many felt the need to defend their cultural identity in the easiest possible manner, mostly by resorting to fanaticism and tribalism. This is why fundamentalism is on the rise. And this is also why we must defend citizenry.

We live in an age of cultural shock and collision. This is why many countries, in Europe as well as elsewhere, are focusing on civil education, on making people more proud of being citizens than of belonging to a sect, race or creed. We need to use our schools and universities, our social and sports clubs, our arts and the media to consolidate national cohesion. We need to encourage mosques and churches to offer their help to all, and not just to brothers and sisters of the faith. We need liberalism and cultural diversity, political pluralism and religious tolerance.

Above all, we need to help the poor. We need to improve standards of living in impoverished areas. And we need to instill a sense of citizenry into every individual in this country. Civil education is not just a doctrine or a theoretical endeavour. First and foremost, it is a practice. We have to include all our citizens in the effort to attain sustainable development. Prosperity is the best defence against terrorism and sectarianism.

* This week's Soapbox speaker is professor of political science at Helwan University.