Citizenship Ceremonies Guidance

Lots of organisations, groups and individuals have a strong interest in citizenship. Engaging different local partners and groups to play an active role in ceremonies can help make them more inclusive and effective.

A host organisation (a local charity or community group, for example) can play an active part in the preparation and presentation of the ceremony and reception.

The presiding official is to greet the new citizens with their certificate and, when possible, be available for photographs after the ceremony is concluded. Local dignitaries such as the Lord Mayor often act as the presiding official as part of their civic duties.

The Master of Ceremonies ensures the event runs smoothly. Recruiting a representative of a local community group to this role sends a strong signal of inclusiveness to the proceedings.

Ceremony staff are responsible for the successful organisation of the proceedings. They must have the necessary training, and knowledge of how to conduct a ceremony that is meaningful and sensitive to the diversity that exists in the local community.

Inviting the wider community to celebrate and witness the event helps promote shared experiences.

Local people - friends, family, colleagues and the wider community can also be invited to share in the celebration, hear the same message about the importance of citizenship and find out about local opportunities to get involved. There is also the opportunity to invite young people to attend ceremonies and engage with the citizenship process.

Inviting existing citizens to attend citizenship ceremonies can have a positive impact, particularly related to acceptance of people from different backgrounds, and nurturing a sense of shared identity with the new citizens.

Civil society organisations can be involved in several ways: hosting the ceremony, promoting it, helping to run the event on the day, getting local people to attend and promoting opportunities for active citizenship.

In any of these roles, civil society organisations can contribute to creating a positive and inclusive event on the day, while promoting and making clear the wider benefits of new and existing citizens getting involved in their community.

Local businesses can also contribute to and benefit from involvement, as a sponsor, as a host, and as an organisation with its own stake in the local community and the delivery of its corporate-social responsibilities. The local community benefits from the active participation and contribution of local companies and enterprises.

The choice of location and venue is important in producing an event that is welcoming and enjoyable for everyone involved.

There are a number of practical considerations:

• The venue's size must be able to comfortably accommodate all the new citizens, guests and others such as the local media.
• The layout must be suitable for official ceremonies, including a stage and lectern for the speaker.
• The facility should be accessible to all.

There is also the opportunity to use the ceremony to involve the local community in a collective celebration in a way that inspires people to become more active citizens.

Delivering a ceremony at a community venue, such as a school, library, theatre or community centre, creates opportunities to engage the wider community in a collective celebration. A notable or iconic local venue reflects the importance of the occasion to those who are taking part.

The space can be used to showcase local civil society groups, who might have a stand or stall, to promote opportunities for participants to get involved and contribute to their community.

Citizenship ceremonies should be fun, inspiring and inclusive. Here are a few tips we've found work well.

A special guest to give an inspirational speech can enhance the ceremony by talking about the value and opportunity of being involved and why this is central to what it means to be a British citizen. It is best to keep the message brief – about three minutes is perfect.

Performers, like musicians and dancers, can showcase local talent and contribute to an exciting and memorable experience.

Local media are often interested in citizenship ceremonies. Actively engaging local media can generate good news stories and provide an opportunity for new citizens to talk of their excitement and pride.

The wider community can be invited to the ceremony, creating an opportunity for shared celebration and a chance to inspire them to become more involved citizens.

A message about the importance of active citizenship is more likely to be acted upon if it comes from someone that new citizens can relate to or trust. This might include recent citizens who have gone on to contribute to their area speaking as special guests.

In Barking, for example, a former Mayor was chosen to deliver a speech at a previous ceremony. The former Mayor was a naturalised citizen, who worked his way up to become Mayor of Barking, while also meeting his partner, marrying and raising his family in the borough. This was both relatable and inspiring for the participants in the ceremonies. The ex-Mayor’s speech had a strong emphasis on civic engagement.

It is vital to use the right language both during the ceremony and when promoting it. It is best to avoid language that is discouraging or patronising, such as describing people as being ‘lucky’ or ‘grateful’ to be citizens. Those attending the ceremony may already be active citizens and celebrating their contributions to the community could encourage others.

When discussing the wider community, avoid divisive language e.g. talking about ‘us and them’. It is better to use purposefully inclusive words such as “family” “duty” “us” “together” as words that promote the idea of active citizenship and community.

Ceremonies are often meaningful and emotional experiences for people. It is important that the event values the time, effort and emotion people have made in becoming citizens.

Overall, it is important to celebrate the new citizens’ decisions to become a citizen with a fun and enjoyable experience.

Acknowledge that the journey to citizenship for some people has been long, and the ceremony marks the end of that journey. At the same time, it is important to invite people onto a new journey of active citizenship – the ceremony should not feel like a sudden stop, but the switch to a new journey. Mentioning a fun fact or achievement for each of the new citizens as they receive their certificates can also engage and inspire guests at the ceremony.

Promote engagement for everyone – not just new citizens. The ceremony is an opportunity to prompt everyone involved to think about how they can contribute to their communities through, for example, volunteering and civic involvement.

Photographs are a very popular way for people have a permanent memory of their experience. Giving the new citizen the photograph for free on the day plays to our desire to reciprocate and research has shown that it encourages them to give something back in other ways such as local volunteering.

The price of the photography to the organiser can be kept low by using council staff, a local volunteer or community organisation. You can source volunteers and community organisations through the local volunteer service or Council for Voluntary Services.

Highlight and remind people of opportunities. At a previous ceremony in Bexley, the Mayor emphasised the ways that people can get involved with the community, such as volunteering or registering to vote. He informed people that information on this had been provided in their packs and that the council and the volunteer centre were in attendance and happy to talk to guests after the ceremony.

Invite commitment. One way to promote engagement is to invite commitment on the day, by making it possible for people to sign up to some kind of simple activity. We know that people are more likely to follow up on commitments when they have made a pledge in front of their peers and the public.

Offer something back. Giving people something, such as a small gift is likely to make them more receptive to do something in return. Offering something like a photo or certificate is likely to increase the likelihood of people wanting to give something back to their community.

Focus on incentives. People are also motivated by the desire do something for the greater good. This is known as an intrinsic incentive. Inviting people to volunteer is one way to tap into people’s desire to “do their bit”. Ceremonies are also joyful, positive occasions at which people are more likely to be open to getting involved.

Use social norms. Our behaviour is influenced enormously by those around us through the operation of social norms. Ceremonies provide opportunities to emphasise the fact that being an active citizen is normal and common. In Westminster, for example, the citizenship pack included information that normalised volunteering, blood donation and voting and presented them as a common occurrence among citizens in Westminster.