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Patriotism Patriotism: Unit 5

This document provides an introduction to Unit 5 on patriotism in the Civics and Ethical Education Grade 11 Student Textbook. It discusses several key topics that will be covered, including the bases of patriotism, responsibilities of patriotic citizens, issues of development, and voluntarism on a national basis. The first lesson focuses on the bases of patriotism. It explains the importance of understanding a country's true history in order to develop patriotic feelings and addresses challenges with biased or fabricated historical accounts. It then summarizes the history of the Ethiopian flag, tracing its origins and evolution over different imperial periods. The lesson emphasizes the importance of tolerance and respecting differences among citizens.

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Yoseph Luelseged
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
973 views16 pages

Patriotism Patriotism: Unit 5

This document provides an introduction to Unit 5 on patriotism in the Civics and Ethical Education Grade 11 Student Textbook. It discusses several key topics that will be covered, including the bases of patriotism, responsibilities of patriotic citizens, issues of development, and voluntarism on a national basis. The first lesson focuses on the bases of patriotism. It explains the importance of understanding a country's true history in order to develop patriotic feelings and addresses challenges with biased or fabricated historical accounts. It then summarizes the history of the Ethiopian flag, tracing its origins and evolution over different imperial periods. The lesson emphasizes the importance of tolerance and respecting differences among citizens.

Uploaded by

Yoseph Luelseged
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Bases of Patriotism

Unit 5
Patriotism
Introduction
You looked at many areas regarding patriotism in Grades 9 and 10. You also learnt about a new dimension
of patriotism that includes fighting poverty, terrorism and working for the public interest on voluntary
basis. There will be more discussion in this unit on these and other topics related to national issues,
including development and voluntarism.

Lessons • recognize the issues of development.

1. The Bases of Patriotism • appreciate the role of voluntarism on national


issues.
2. Responsibilities Required from Patriotic
Citizens
Key words and concepts
3. Issues of Development
4. Voluntarism on a National Basis • Development • Primary sources
• Ethics • Secondary sources
What you will learn • Historical account • Voluntary
• Mortality rate organization
You will:
• Prejudice
• recognize the new dimension of patriotism in
contemporary Ethiopia.
A sign of patriotism — Tirunesh Dibaba
• understand the basic historical developments of winning an Olympic gold medal
the Ethiopian flag.

CIVICS AND ETHICAL EDUCATION — GRADE 11 STUDENT TEXTBOOK  59


UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 1

L E S S O N 1
The Bases of Patriotism

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: History can be distorted because historians
have different world views, political interests and
 enumerate the factors that contribute to the
motives. So there may be biased and exaggerated
building of a sense of patriotism.
historical accounts to create a false impression and
mislead people. You need to avoid these kinds of
Why is it important to learn the history of problems to know more about the history of your
Ethiopia?
country. How can you do this?
History is a narration about the past based on facts. • You can do this by reading a variety of
Every historian should use facts to write history. historical accounts written by different
Even though most historical accounts are based on historians. By doing this you can compare
evidence, some of them can be misleading and far and contrast different historical perspectives
from the truth. This is because some writers use and have a broad understanding of the
certain facts and even create evidences to construct past.
history that is not true for whatever reasons. • You have to examine the sources, facts and
It is important to understand history in order evidence historians use to write history.
to understand the present. Knowing what has Historians may use some sources that
happened in the past can help us to understand are less reliable. Histories written based
and solve current problems. True history teaches on primary sources and other objective
us values whereas fabricated history creates false secondary sources are more reliable than
histories distorted by personal views.
impressions that are used to mislead us. This means
that the history you learn plays an important role in
shaping your values and beliefs. This is why we say History of the Ethiopian Flag
that understanding the true history is important in Knowledge of your flag is one aspect of knowing
order to develop a sense of patriotic feeling towards your history. The flag in Ethiopia has a long history.
our country. You have to search for the true history It extends well over a thousand years. Some give a
of Ethiopia to have clear understanding of the past religious interpretation and trace the origin of the
and develop the sense of patriotism. existing flag to a rainbow which appeared after the
The role of a historian is to get closer and closer biblical flood.
to the truth of the past. This requires gathering facts Traditionally there was a tendency to relate the
and evidence from reliable sources then refining different colours of the flag with different regions: for
and interpreting them with care. example, red representing Tigrai, green for Shoa and

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UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 1

The Bases of Patriotism


yellow for Amhara. It is said that, during the tenth
century A.D., a blue flag was in use in the country
which was believed to have been changed to yellow
during the time of Yodit’s rule. Under the Zagwe
Dynasty, it was assumed to have been replaced by a
red flag. During the Gondarine period, especially at
the time of Emperor Susenios, a multiple coloured
flag appeared with an emblem on its top.
During the period of Emperor Tewdros II, a
multi-coloured flag with an emblem of the Lion of
Judah was raised close to the Emperor’s tent. When
Emperor Yohannes IV came to power it is said that
there was a flag in red, white and green. Likewise,
Emperor Menelik was believed to have used a flag
in green, red and yellow. The present flag in green,
yellow and red, however, probably became the
national flag of Ethiopia during the time of Empress
Zewditu Menelik in 1918.
The 1931 constitution of Ethiopia did not
mention the national flag, but the revised
constitution of 1955 stated the national flag should
have horizontally arranged stripes of green, yellow
and red. The emblem on the Ethiopian flag during
Haile Selassie’s rule was the crowned Lion of Judah.
The constitution of the Derg changed the emblem
to show the state ideology of socialism. With the
transition to democracy, the 1995 Constitution
maintained the flag of Ethiopia with the same
The Ethiopian flag from the Imperial time up to the
colours but with a different emblem. The green
present
indicates prosperity; the yellow, hope; and the
red symbolizes the sacrifices to be made for the
Respecting differences
sovereignty of Ethiopia. The star with equidistant
rays represents equality of all nations, nationalities You discussed tolerance in the previous grades. You
and peoples as well as religions and gender. need to use your knowledge to treat people with
tolerance. Tolerance refers to an attitude of openness
In groups, gather data from other students and respect for the differences that exist among
and staff in your school on how the national people. Originally tolerance was used to refer to
and regional flags are perceived. Share this
acceptance of ethnic and religious differences
information with the rest of the class.
but now concepts of diversity and tolerance can

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UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 1

The Bases of Patriotism


be also applied to differences such as gender and citizens despite different backgrounds. It is about
disability. accepting and respecting people for who they are.
Tolerance means accepting and valuing It is not being tolerant of bad behaviours, because
differences, bridging cultural gaps and discovering bad behaviour shows a lack of respect and care for
common grounds. It also means rejecting stereotypes others. Behaviours that disrespect or hurt others,
and creating new relationships with people who such as lying and stealing, breaking social rules and
differ from us. Tolerance is accepting equality of laws, should not be tolerated.

Read the following quotes and discuss their meanings. You can do it in groups or pairs.
“The problem to be faced is how to combine loyalty to one‛s own tradition with reverence for
different traditions.” Abraham Joshua Heschel
“The only way to make sure people you agree with can speak is to support the rights of people you
don‛t agree with.” Eleanor Holmes Norton
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your rights to say it.” Evelyn Beatrice
Hall
“The price of democratic way of life is a growing appreciation of people‛s differences, not merely
as tolerable, but as the essence of a rich and rewarding human experience.” Jerome Nathason

REMEMBER
 A good knowledge of history helps us to understand the present, solve current
problems and develop patriotic feeling.
 The major goal of a genuine historian is to get closer and closer to the truth; to
collect reliable data from different sources and interpret this data objectively.
 You get good values from true history; exaggerated and falsified history influences
us to develop negative and biased attitudes.
 The present flag in green, yellow and red probably became the national flag of
Ethiopia during the time of Empress Zewditu Menelik in 1918.
 The 1955 Constitution recognized, for the first time, the present colours of the
Ethiopian flag.
 You have to use your knowledge of the past to understand differences and to treat
people with tolerance.

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UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 2

L E S S O N 2
Responsibilities Required from
Patriotic Citizens
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: and wrong. Human societies have common values

 explain what the responsibilities of a patriotic that govern their behaviours and actions. Our
citizen are. upbringing and religion are the main sources of
our values, moral rules and norms that control our
 be patriotic citizens.
behaviour. Since we have values and moral norms
we can evaluate what is right and wrong and then
How do you know whether something is right?
decide what is acceptable and unacceptable before
Do you think that fighting to defend your
making a decision. We deal with ethical decisions
country is right?
in our everyday lives. Most people do not steal
You learnt that patriotism has many meanings and because it is not morally right to take what does not
dimensions. The traditional meaning of patriotism belong to you, most do not lie because lying often
focuses on defending your country in times of hurts others. Social harmony is maintained when
war. It is mainly related to military engagements the majority hold the same set of moral standards.
when your country is invaded. This is not the only Therefore, as a patriotic citizen you have to act
expression of patriotism. For example, when you are ethically.
concerned for the well-being of your community,
What might you have to consider before
or your country, you are being a patriotic citizen.
making a moral decision?
Patriotic citizens not only think about the well-
being of their country but they also act ethically. Citizenship allows people to take part in society as
You have come across the word ethics and ethical active participants. To be a good citizen includes
in the previous textbooks. You have to get the clear doing your part for the public interest, serving
meaning of the words. your community and promoting the development
The term ethics can be defined as the rules of democracy in your country. The contribution of
or standards governing the behaviour of a person every citizen can make a difference in promoting
or member of a profession. For example, different harmony and equality. We can promote peace,
professions have their own ethics such as medical democracy and development when each citizen
ethics or ethics of journalism. Ethics is a system upholds the Constitution, carrying out personal and
of beliefs that deals with what is morally right civic responsibilities.

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UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 2

Responsibilities Required from Patriotic Citizens

CASE STUDY
Chaltu is a nurse working at a government hospital diseases such as diabetes and cancer; they have to
in Ethiopia. Many patients come to the hospital from wait for several days in order to get treatment. A
far away places because the hospital is a referral person offers Chaltu 500 Birr to get jump the queue
hospital. There are many patients on the waiting list and get treatment prior to all other patients on the
as it provides good care. Some patients have chronic waiting list.
 Do you think it would be ethical for Chaltu to accept the offer and give that person service
prior to other patients? Explain your answer.
 What would happen if many other nurses working at the same hospital did the same for other
people?

CASE STUDY
Aster is working in a government organization. She is In groups of five, discuss the following
working as a clerk in the Purchasing Department. Her questions and let your group leader summarize
boss continuously asks her for a date but she always their points to the class.
refuses politely. He soon threatens that she could
 Why is what Aster‛s boss is doing, morally
lose her job at any time. This makes Aster deeply
wrong?
uncomfortable and unhappy in her work. She spends
much of the day avoiding her boss and is not able  What advice would you give Aster?
to get on with her work properly. She has spoken  What do you think would happen to Aster
to other female members of the organization and if she exposed the wrong deeds of her
has found that she is not the only person who he boss?
harasses. These other members of staff have started  What might be the benefit of ‘whistle
to gather evidence (dates and what was done) against blowing‛ in these kinds of situations?
her boss.

CASE STUDY
Drunk drivers in a city in Ethiopia have recently identified the driver as his friend. If he arrested his
killed six people. The police chief of the city ordered friend for drunk driving, the man may be sent into
the police to arrest drivers who are drunk. One night prison for at least a year and his family would suffer.
a policeman found a man who was driving at high The policeman was faced with a conflict. His duty
speed. When he stopped the car he found that the was to arrest the driver and protect the citizens of the
driver had been drinking heavily. The policeman town but he also felt loyalty to his friend.

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UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 2

Responsibilities Required from Patriotic Citizens

Discuss the following in groups.


 How do you feel towards the driver? What is the impact of these kinds of actions on the
lives of individuals, families and the country as a whole?
 Do you think that the policeman should arrest the driver? Give reasons for your answer.
 Should a person‛s actions be dictated by their duty as a patriotic citizen or their feelings at
the time?

REMEMBER
 Patriotic citizens have many responsibilities including working for the well-being
of their community and promoting the interest of their country.
 Our everyday activities involve ethical decisions because we assess what is right
and wrong before we take action.
 Sometimes our private interests and the common good come into conflict.
 As patriotic citizens you are responsible to promote the public interest, serve your
community and contribute to the development of democracy in your country.

CIVICS AND ETHICAL EDUCATION — GRADE 11 STUDENT TEXTBOOK  65


UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 3

L E S S O N 3
Issues of Development

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: We have mentioned that the major goal of

 explain what development means. development is to reduce or eradicate poverty. The


Millennium Development Goals is a global campaign
 explain Ethiopia’s potential for development.
that aims to improve the living conditions of people
in poor countries. To achieve its goal it focuses on
How do you define the word development?
tackling the problems of poverty. The following are
How developed do you think Ethiopia is?
some of the Millennium Development Goals that
The term development has several meanings. are targeted to be achieved by 2015.
Development can be defined as growth, or reducing • Reducing by two-thirds the mortality rate of
poverty and gaining more advanced and better living children under the age of five;
conditions. Therefore, fighting poverty promotes
• Eradicating gender inequality in access to
development. You learnt some of the indicators of
education; this means eliminating gender
poverty in Grade 10. It is important to remember
disparity in primary and secondary
the indicators of poverty to understand universal
education by 2015, and eradicating gender
indicators of development.
inequality in education;
There are several indicators of poverty: a high
• Increasing the income of poor people and
infant mortality rate, a very low-income level (for
reducing people who suffer from poverty
example, below one US dollar per day), a low average
and hunger; this includes reducing by 50
life expectancy and a low literacy rate. The major
percent the proportion of people whose
aims of development are to reverse these problems
and increase the quality of life for people in low- income is below one US dollar per day;
income countries. When people in a country earn • Ensuring that all children in all countries
more money, fewer babies die, people live longer are able to complete primary education; this
and all receive a good education, they can be said means enabling all boys and girls in the
to live in a developed country. world to get primary education.

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UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 3

Issues of Development

CASE STUDY
Development indicators related to five countries
Indicators Ethiopia Tanzania Ghana Kenya Norway
Literacy rate 45.1% 80.5% 76.9% 86.9% 99%
Infant mortality rate 92 95 59 57 4
Life expectancy 49.2 46 59.1 55.3 79.7
Average income
per person/GDP (US$) 156.80 316 484.8 546.80 3,918.10
Population per
Physician/doctors 34,988 44,133 11,111 7576 281
Source: Encarta 2008

Examine the figures in the table and compare and contrast the similarities and differences
between the five countries.
 Which of the five countries is most developed? Why?
 Which country is least developed? Why?
 How does Ethiopia compare to the other less developed countries?
 What do you think is the role of Ethiopians to help meet the development goals?
Discuss your answers in groups.

CASE STUDY
Rates of infant mortality are one of the indicators of and the Pacific it is 29; and for Latin America and
poverty as well as development. Child mortality rates the Caribbean it is 27.
are high in poor countries while the rates are low in Source: Encarta 2008
developed countries. For example, deaths of infants
under the age of five per thousand live births in Sub- Can you explain why infant mortality is higher
Saharan Africa is 160; in South Asia it is 83; in the in undeveloped countries?
Middle East and North Africa it is 46; for East Asia

We have recognized that Ethiopia is one of the It is also rich in human resources since Ethiopia has
poorest countries in the world; but this does not large number of working people. Ethiopia also has
mean that Ethiopia is poor in all aspects. It is rich many tourist attractions. Harar, Tiya, Gonder and
in natural resources such as rivers, wide areas of Axum are examples of popular historic sites. There
cultivable land and has a large amount of livestock. are natural tourist attractions including the Bale

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UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 3

Issues of Development
and Semien Mountains that have beautiful scenery of Ethiopia, with their different cultures, clothing,
as well as endemic animals and birds. The people music, dances, houses and craft products, appeal to
tourists.

CASE STUDY
Agricultural potential of Ethiopia
Ethiopia has a very high potential in the agricultural Discuss the following questions based on
sector. For example, it has the greatest number of the case study.
livestock in Africa, tenth in the world. Ethiopia also  Do you think that Ethiopia really has a
exports the most livestock in Africa. According to a high potential in the agricultural sector?
sample census in 2001 and 2003, Ethiopia has: Why?
• 40 million cattle  Do you think that we are getting maximum
• 25.5 million sheep benefit from our livestock resources?
Explain your answer.
• 23.4 million goats
 Do you think Ethiopia has any other
• 2.3 million camels
agricultural potential to promote its
In addition, Ethiopia has a suitable climate and development?
type of soil for producing high quality tea, coffee, fruit,  Why do you think Ethiopia remains poor if
vegetables, flowers, cotton, oilseeds and pulses. it has a high potential for development?

Rivers of Ethiopia  Some people say Ethiopia is the water


Several rivers originate from the Ethiopian highlands tower of Africa. What is your opinion on
and flow to the lowlands then on to other countries. this?
They include the Abay (Blue Nile), Awash, Genale  Do you think that we are maximizing the
and Wabe Shebelle. Ethiopian rivers have very high potential of our rivers to promote Ethiopia‛s
potential for hydroelectric power development and development? Explain your answer.
irrigation for agriculture. The Abay contributes  Ethiopia has many small rivers in addition
more that 85% of the Nile water that reaches Egypt. to the big ones. How can we use them to
Sudan produces about 80% of its electric power from promote the development of our country?
the Nile River through its big dams called Roseires
and Sennar. These dams also serve for irrigation to
produce wheat and high quality cotton.

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UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 3

Issues of Development

Awash River Abay River

REMEMBER
 Development can be defined as growth or change from poverty into more advanced
and better living conditions.
 Indicators of poverty help you to understand universal indicators of
development.
 The Millennium Development Goals focus on eradicating poverty; reducing infant
mortality, increasing the incomes of poor people and providing a primary education
for all.
 Though Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world, it is not poor in
natural resources such as rivers, wide areas of cultivable land, a large amount of
livestock wealth and tourist attractions.

CIVICS AND ETHICAL EDUCATION — GRADE 11 STUDENT TEXTBOOK  69


UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 4

L E S S O N 4
Voluntarism on a National Basis

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: other public authorities and are free to
 explain voluntarism and its importance for govern themselves without interference.
addressing national problems. • They are often active in the public arena and
their activities are aimed at contributing to
What is the role of volunteering in promoting the common good.
the national interest? Volunteers contribute to the well-being of others
at various levels: local, national and international.
You discussed issues related to voluntarism in There are millions of volunteers all over the world
Grades 9 and 10. Voluntarism is contributing one’s who work for the betterment of communities and
time or talent for educational, social, charitable nations. There are several thousand international
and other purposes, freely without expectation of volunteers who move outside their countries to
compensation. People in many countries contribute provide voluntary services. For example, many
to the community through voluntary efforts. They volunteers have come from the United States, the
do this by providing services such as caring for United Kingdom and other countries to teach in
the poor, providing education and by involving schools, colleges, universities and hospitals and to
themselves in various community development provide services in Ethiopia.
activities.
Voluntary activities or organizations at
Though voluntary services can be provided on community, national or international levels share a
an individual basis, in most cases people with similar common goal: they aim to promote the well-being of
purposes form or join voluntary organizations to people. But they differ from each other based on their
achieve common goals. There are many voluntary focus. Some voluntary activities focus on local and
organizations that focus on different social, economic community problems such as water shortages, school
and environmental issues. Voluntary organizations or health problems. Other voluntary organizations
are different from other organizations in some ways. focus on national issues such as fighting against
For example: HIV/AIDS, gender inequality and poverty.
• They are different from purely social People participate in voluntary activities to
groupings because they have some degree promote the interest of their country in many ways.
of formal organizational existence.
They contribute their money, talent and time for the
• They are non-profit making organizations. sake of the national interest. Voluntary efforts have
• They are independent of government or served many purposes in the time of peace and war.

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UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 4

Voluntarism on a National Basis

CASE STUDY
Tolosa is a teacher in one of the primary schools in The committee managed to collect 48,013 Birr.
Oromia Region. He was a student of the same school. Some people donated furniture and equipment for the
The school lacks many facilities, including desks, and school. The school ended up with new desks and
the building has not been maintained for years. Some chairs, the broken doors and windows were fixed and
of the doors and windows are broken. the walls were decorated.
Tolosa decided to do something by mobilizing the  Do you know people like Tolosa who take
local people and former students of the school. First the initiative for these kinds of voluntary
he went to the elders in the village and persuaded activities?
them to support him. He told them his plan was to
 What is the significance of such
collect money from the village people and ex-students
voluntary activities in promoting national
of the school. They agreed. He sent messages to
development?
former students of the school who live in different
parts of the country. Then he formed a committee  List problems that might be solved through
that included people from the village and teachers of these kinds of voluntary activities at a
community level.
the school.

For example, thousands of Ethiopians have requires assistance will be a positive advantage in
contributed their efforts and lives to defend the the long run. For example, our environment needs
freedom and independence of their country. to be cared for, this could include removing rubbish
During the period of the Italian invasion (1936-1941) from an area of beauty or planting trees in a place
Ethiopians offered strong resistance organizing of deforestation. There are many poor members of
themselves into patriotic groups. They formed secret our society who could benefit from help, such as
groups to spy on enemy positions and they created the elderly and street children. Giving your time
war plans. They attacked the convoys of the enemy, to help to raise awareness on the issue of HIV can
prisons and camps. Women patriots contributed by save the lives of others in the future. Your voluntary
taking part in the fight against the enemy, nursing activities can change the lives of others and support
wounded patriots, providing food and comfort and the development of Ethiopia.
working as spies. Those Ethiopian patriots continued Through volunteering you are not only
their struggle until the Italian forces were pushed out supporting your country but may also gain valuable
of the country. They did this without the expectation skills and experience. Many volunteers feel great
of pay or other material gains. personal satisfaction when they give their time to
Citizens can involve themselves in many serve worthy causes. They often meet new people
activities to promote national interests. In our and make new friends. Volunteering has also been
society there are many areas where help is required a way for many people to move into new careers, by
to support the members of our community and to volunteering first to get into an organization. There
benefit our society as a whole. Any activity you can are many benefits to volunteering both personally
involve yourself in that is of benefit in an area that and for society.

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UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM LESSON 4

Voluntarism on a National Basis

 Identify areas in the Ethiopian Constitution where voluntary services may be required in order
to uphold the rights of citizens.
 Choose one that interests you and identify what voluntary activities could support this right.

CASE STUDY
Since there is no modern health institution for heart the government, he started the construction of the
surgery in Ethiopia, people with heart problems have building for the Cardiac Centre. He gained support
to go to Europe or America to get medical treatment. to get medical equipment and professionals from
Most of the people, including children with chronic abroad. Belay always says that he is happy to come
heart problems, lead painful and hopeless lives to this country to help children suffering from heart
because they are not able to travel abroad due to diseases.
the cost of the treatment. Source: adapted from Kum Neger. Amharic Magazine,
Belay Abegaz is a medical doctor who has Volume 5, Number 58, November 2006, Addis Ababa
lived abroad for many years. He came back to this
country, volunteering to help his people. He quit What do you think of Dr Belay‛s voluntary
his job and attractive income because of his dream work?
of saving the lives of children suffering from heart How can he be seen as a role model for
diseases. He came to Ethiopia aiming to help children others?
who suffer from chronic heart problems. To achieve Do you know other volunteers? What do
this he founded Children’s Heart Fund of Ethiopia they do and why do they do it?
(CHFE). With the help of his friends, the people and

REMEMBER
 Voluntarism is contributing one’s time or talent to help others in the community
and to promote the national interest without regard for compensation.
 Though voluntary services can be provided on individual basis, in most cases
people with similar purposes form or join voluntary organizations to achieve their
common goals.
 Volunteers contribute to the well-being of others at different levels: local, national
and international.
 A patriotic citizen participates in voluntary activities to promote the interest of
her/his country by defending sovereignty, promoting development and defending
the rights of citizens enshrined in the Constitution.

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UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM

UNIT SUMMARY
A good knowledge of history helps us to understand and solve current problems and develop patriotic
feelings. Citizens have a responsibility to work to promote the interests of their country. You have to know
that our actions and decisions are related to ethical questions because we assess what is right and wrong
before we do something. We are responsible for promoting the public interest but sometimes our personal
interests and the common good come into conflict.
Promoting development is one of the main responsibilities of patriotic citizens. There are universal
indicators of development. Some of them are income level, average life expectancy, infant mortality and
literacy rates. The Millennium Development Goals include reducing infant mortality rates, eradicating
poverty and eradicating gender inequality in education. Though Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in
the world, it is rich in natural resources such as rivers, wide areas of cultivable land, livestock and tourist
attractions.
Volunteering is an important way of contributing for the development of the country. People who share
similar purposes form voluntary organizations to achieve common goals. Volunteers contribute for the
well-being of others at the local, national and international levels. A patriotic citizen has a responsibility to
promote the interests of their country, defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, promote its development,
defend the Constitution and maintain domestic peace.

GLOSSARY
Ethics: A system of accepted beliefs which control behaviour.
Historical account: A description of a historical event.
Infant mortality rate: The number of child deaths (under 5 years) within a particular country per
1000 live births.
Prejudice: The unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially often based on
a stereotype.
Primary sources: Sources which are first hand and more reliable sources of history.
Secondary sources: Sources which are not products of the period and place of a historical
event.

UNIT REVIEW EXERCISES


Do these review exercises in your exercise book.

Part I – True or false 2. All sources of history are equally important


1. Historical accounts written by professional in terms of their reliability.
historians always reflect the truth so there 3. Voluntary organizations can influence the
is no need to question their reliability. development of Ethiopia.

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UNIT 5 — PATRIOTISM

4. Voluntary organizations should be (b) reducing infant mortality by ninety


independent of government but obey the percent
laws of the country where they work. (c) making poor people rich
(d) providing primary education for all
Part II – Short answers
children of the world
1. Why is history important for development?
(e) none of the above
2. What is development?
3. Which part of the world has the highest
3. Does Ethiopia have high potential for
development? infant mortality rates?

4. Why is volunteering necessary for promoting (a) North Africa


national development? (b) Sub-Saharan Africa
(c) Latin America
Part III – Multiple choice
(d) South Asia
1. Which of the following does not go with
primary sources of history? (e) East Asia
(a) a history book written by professional 4. Which of the following is true about
historians voluntary organizations?
(b) written materials such as letters, diaries, (a) they are non-profit making organizations
coins and ornaments
(b) they are independent of government
(c) statues and ancient buildings
(c) they contribute to promote the common
(d) inscriptions and wall paintings
good
(e) (a) and (d)
(d) they often work with the government
2. Which of the following is false about the
and other organizations to solve common
Millennium Development Goals?
problems
(a) eradicating gender inequality in
education (e) all of the above

74  CIVICS AND ETHICAL EDUCATION — GRADE 11 STUDENT TEXTBOOK

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