If the recent government initiative to promote citizenship education is not to suffer the fate of long-gone tedious civics lessons, examples of a new approach to this vital democratic concern are urgently needed.

This slim resource pack for secondary schools is made up of four units - what is charity? making a gift, changing the world and raising money - each with teacher’s notes and worksheets. Much attention is paid to individual response to need, as channelled through the charities, and information is provided for teachers, including answers to questions. The worksheets are photocopiable but, while sound in content, lack design flair.

That said, the purpose of the pack - to encourage informed debate on the role of charities - is reasonably well achieved, even if some of the suggestions are less than inspiring.

This book should find a place in the resource bank for citizenship education. It will also prove useful in devising activities for PSE and form tutorial sessions.

Most ideas require young people to think about world as well as local issues, which must be a good thing.