Abstract
<jats:p>Participation of citizens in public life and political decision-making is essential in democratic systems. Active citizenship means responsible public participation to create positive social changes aimed at promoting the well-being of communities. Civic activity experienced during high school years can develop attitudes in young people that motivate them later in their adult lives to be involved in similar activities. By involving students in public life, the risk of developing deviant behaviour can be reduced, improvement can be seen in study results, and the personal network of young people can be widened. The participation of young people in the life of the community promotes democratic values and the maintenance of democracy. Questionnaire and focus group research among 14-19-year-old high school students living in Nyíregyháza, examined the civic engagement and their view of democracy. The results of the questionnaire are compared to the results of the Hungarian youth research that has been conducted in Hungary every four years since 2000, as well as the 1998 research in Nyíregyháza and the results of the 2015 Youth of Nyíregyháza. Focus group interviews revealed that students would place more emphasis on citizenship education, and they feel that they can best assert their interests in the family and between friends. School interests divided high school students. There are schools where detailed, rational, elaborated ideas can be accepted by the school management, however, other students feel that school is not the field where they can voice the interests of theirs and their fellow students. Freedom, tolerance, equality and truth were the ones that were ranked in first place from among the values of democracy. The greatest advantage of democracy is freedom, while its biggest flaw was the abuse of the media. Democracy expects freedom, equal and fair treatment.</jats:p>