Citizenship involves more than a passport, more than a nationality. It describes our collective sense of community and belonging as Canadians and defines how we see ourselves in the world. Citizens have rights and responsibilities. Achieving a balance between these two poles is an on-going challenge, as the core values of citizens - and the terms of their implicit contract with the state - change over time in response to economic and political circumstances.

In Canada, the realignment of state and market over the last 20 years has altered our sense of common citizenship in fundamental ways. It has also raised awareness of the importance of fostering access and belonging to the institutions of citizenship.

CPRN's citizenship research program focuses on the different ways people move into citizenship at every stage of life, including childhood.