The topic of Citizenship now takes a high profile with the decision makers in the world of education. Current UK Government statements indicate that 'Citizenship' will form a fundemental part of the National Curriculum within months rather than years. Couple this with the implementation of the UN Charter of Children's Rights, which comes into force this year (2000), then schools will be in need of good quality resources that will help with the teaching of these difficult topics.

Rotary as an organization, has four stated objectives which encompass most aspects of the popular understanding of Citizenship. In summary these are:

• To develop aquaintance as an opportunity to serve society
• High ethical standards in business and professions
• The application of service to society in personal, business and community life and
• The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace.

These objectives underpin the ethos of the programme.

To produce a valuable and relevant resource we have teamed up with all of the major organisations which advise the Department of Education and Employment on citizenship issues. These include the Institute for Citizenship, The Centre for Citizenship Studies in Education, CSV Education for Citizenship, The Citizenship Foundation, The Council for Education in World Citizenship, NCH Action for Children, The National Foundation for Educational Research and the National Family and Parenting Institute.