In Britain, cultural diversity is emphasised to the point where a shared national identity is often hard to define. In France, by contrast, everybody is French. Since the revolution in 1789, the republic has promoted a strong, shared national identity that subsumes racial and ethnic differences. Yet even the most cohesive society has its divisions. Citizenship teaching in France has to balance emphasising republican ideals and addressing social inequalities that sparked riots across urban France only a few years ago. This programme visits a secondary school in Lyon to see how teachers tackle these issues. In the wake of the recent presidential elections, teacher Francois Charbouillot looks at the characteristics of a democracy with his pupils. Estelle Usclat is teaching her pupils about chaired debates before they hold their own. Both teachers and pupils discuss France's national identity in relation to its social divisions.

Video Series: Citizenship
Release Date 2007