iCitizenForum by Colonial Williamsburg

Citizenship Declaration - Group C (Powell House)

Draft "Declaration of Citizenship in the 21st Century," in association with Dialogues in Democracy: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Presented for Debate in the House of Burgesses, Williamsburg, Va., November 11, 2007.

Toward the achievement of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, visionary leadership is required to inspire citizen participation in a vibrant democracy. We believe that those who aspire to leadership — public and private — should provide goals that encourage citizen responsibility. Citizens have a responsibility to be informed and active, and to impel action in the following areas:

• Quality education
• Sustainable environment and energy
• Basic healthcare
• Family stability
• National security and community safety
• Economic opportunity and dignity

Without suggesting that this is an exclusive list of issues demanding citizen attention, we do believe that these are 21st-century priorities.

An Alternative Statement drafted by some members of Group C

We the people of the United States of America, to complement the liberties already endowed upon us, in order to provide for the common good of the republic, its citizens and citizen institutions, those governed and the governors, encourage our citizens to assume the responsibility of self-government, to be informed and active and to impel action in the following areas:

• Quality education
• Sustainable environment and energy
• Basic healthcare
• Family stability
• National security and community safety
• Economic opportunity and dignity