Wh-Y Vote? When individuals vote across national borders

Wh-Y Vote? When individuals vote across national borders

We asked our reporters in five countries to talk to young people about the European elections. They know their voice matters. A European ballot box against the backdrop of European Union flags. (Illustration by News Decoder) The 720-member European Parliament is the...

We asked our reporters in five countries to talk to young people about the European elections. The ensuing Wh-Y Vote? series sheds light on how young people across the European Union feel about voting in European elections. What influence do they believe the EU has on their lives? What are the issues driving them to or from polling stations? Why are young people voting or not voting?

Exercise: Students read the article and give feedback on the main issues described in each country. Then, choose to focus on one of the five countries mentioned. Use the links below the article to read the full piece on youth voting in your chosen country. In groups, summarize the main issues that were highlighted and discuss them. Now, together in your country groups, make a campaign poster mobilizing young people to vote in the European elections. Use the articles to help focus the campaign, and visit official EU websites to find more information on why young people should vote.

Kenya tries again to digitally register all residents

Kenya tries again to digitally register all residents

If a government agency stores the DNA and fingerprints of its residents can it serve them more efficiently or control them more effectively? (Image: News Decoder) A year after Kenya’s historic digital identity program was declared illegal, the Kenyan government is...

As more countries around the world adopt digital identification systems, concerns about the legality of such programs have come to the fore. This month, University of Toronto global journalism fellow Shefali Malhotra walks us through arguments for and against the implementation of digital IDs in Kenya. 

Exercise: As students are reading the article, have them create a list of arguments for and against the implementation of digital IDs. Then, have students write a paragraph on whether or not they support adopting digital IDs in your country. The paragraph should include arguments around at least two of the following subtopics: data protection (legal), privacy (personal & commercial), internet penetration/the digital divide, potential discrimination against vulnerable groups. To extend the activity, students can engage in a structured debate with classmates after writing their paragraphs.

Tory chaos shakes UK unity and stirs mockery abroad

Tory chaos shakes UK unity and stirs mockery abroad

Britain’s Conservative Party won a landslide in 2019. Now the Tories and their elite are the butt of jokes overseas as polls point to possible humiliation. 10 Downing Street, the official residence and office of the British Prime Minister, in London, 20 October...

Politics can seem boring to some young people. But in Britain it is anything but. Correspondent Barry Moody takes us through the musical chairs of British prime ministers and shows how political divisions inside the British government over Brexit, taxes and the economy could lead to a breakup of the United Kingdom. 

Exercise: Create teams of five. Each team should choose one member to be prime minister. The other four students should each take on the roles of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. They should each do some basic research on their region’s current relationship with the British government. The student who is the prime minister will research and consider the importance of having these countries united into one government. Together they will create a poster that explains the individual identities of the four countries and how they benefit or are disadvantaged by their subordination to a united government.

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