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are dictated by the teachers. When such study does not come from the mutual
brainstorming and actions, and it does not open for different opinions, it is impossible that
citizenship in the democratic regime in the classroom could be absorbed.
(4) When considering “values” taking effect to citizenship in various countries, it
was found that many countries have “mutual values” in several facets as follows:
(4.1) Awareness – It is the value of a country requiring its citizens to have
knowledge and understanding of the political and administrative regime, economic system,
and society of their country that are definitely linked to their ways of life, and to have
awareness and enthusiasm to be involved in the political and administrative regime of the
country, either at the local or national level.
(4.2) Self-responsibility and social responsibility -This value has been
rooted since childhood via activities in the classroom or outside the classroom. As it could
be seen that, in several countries, the students are encouraged to visit various communities
to discuss and share their opinions about causes and solutions of any problems, as well as
to present the projects to solve the community problems, and to reflect and present that
those students are a part of the entire society, and partially trigger the social problems.
(4.3) Respect to rights of other people – This is an important basic value in
the democratic regime and many countries put this matter in the school curriculum since
the elementary level. To elaborate, a person holds rights and liberties, but his/her rights and
liberties must not violate those of other people. The more rights and liberties one gets, the
more responsibilities one must have. Therefore, an individual must learn how to live with
other people by way of compromise, not violence.
(4.4) Respect to differences – This value is relevant to the democratic
culture because, in a society, individuals have differences, either difference in the physical
body or opinions or attitude. For citizenship under democracy, an individual must learn and
accept such differences, and learn how to live with other people in that society. Everyone
holds liberty to present, and to be treated equally under the same legal system.
However, there are “different values” taking effect to the citizenship
building according to contexts and circumstances of particular countries such as acceptance
of diversity in the multi-cultural society in Berlin, Germany, valuing morality, ethics, and
customs and tradition in Japan and Thailand, which are the special characteristics of East