The results of public opinion research conducted by Samara Canada show “that while Canadians give time and money to making communities better places to live, we’re far less likely to apply those same energies to politics.

Consider this:

• While 55% of us volunteer our time, only 10% volunteer in an election.
• While 84% donate money to a charity or non-profit, only 10% donate to political candidates or parties.
• While 58% are active in a group or association, only 10% are members of political parties.

In selecting which political activities to include, Samara chose actions that connect citizens with each other or allow them to express an opinion in public, rather than more solitary activities, such as following political news. Some activities require very little time or energy, such as tweeting a political story or discussing politics. Others, like volunteering in a community organization, are often considered civic activities rather than political ones, but they are an important part of Canadians’ political life, allowing citizens to express concerns about policy as part of a group, and deserve attention.”

Find out more in Lightweights: Political Participation Beyond the Ballot Box on Samara Canada.

The photo was created by Erik MacLennan when he was 17 and won first place in the 2013 National Democracy Challenge. The photo is called “Passing the Torch.”

What rights and responsibilities do you think are most important for effective youth involvement in a democratic society?