Recent Lobbying Efforts​

Meeting with government

Our group has met several times over the last year and a half (2014/2015) with either the Deputy Minister or personnel in the Department of Education.   Conversation has focused on  a possible connection between the falling youth voter  (only 29.5%  of young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians  under 25 voted in the 2011 federal election) and the  removal  (almost 20 years ago) of courses like Democracy, World Problems, Global Issues, etc. from the social studies curriculum.  We are particularly concerned that these courses were not replaced by courses that promoted discussion and debate around societal and citizenship issues.  Instead, the focus over the last two decades, has been, in our opinion, on educating students to be good workers and good consumers.  

We have suggested that students graduating from high school should be required to take 

• at least one course that focuses on an analysis and discussion around the important ethical, social, democratic and ideological questions of the 21st century.  (Courses like Democracy, Social Justice and Ethics, Political Science or Philosophy)
• at least one course that examines and analyzes the major economic and political global issues of the 21st century (courses like Global Issues, World Problems or Modern History)

We also suggest that the Career Education course could be downsized into a single credit course and no longer be required as a graduation requirement. ​

Meeting with the English School Board and the NLTA

In 2015 we  met with both the NLTA executive and senior management at the English School Board.  We argued for two things: First, there is a need to alert educators, both principals and teachers about youth disinterest in democracy.  Is it possible, for example, that even young teachers do not see the need or importance of voting?   Secondly, are there ways to infuse school culture with democratic engagement outside of curriculum?  Democracy Alert does not believe that the responsibility for conveying democratic values and process in the school should fall entirely on the backs of social studies teachers.  That's not fair.