The idea was floated as part of a package that will see the introduction of Britain's first "citizenship day" this October, and a pocket-size guide to the British constitution.
Ministers believe the introduction last year of such ceremonies for new migrants has proved popular and it is now time to consider introducing such services for those born in Britain when they reach voting age.
"It is about a rite of passage," said the Home Office minister, Fiona Mactaggart. "New entrants to citizenship who come from another citizenship have been given a rite of passage and it has worked, despite the cynics. It might increase voting among young people, for example. It might increase their interest in contributing to society."
A pilot scheme is to be drawn up over the next nine months to recognise the transition to adulthood which brings the right to vote and greater social and economic independence. The event is expected to be voluntary and may be modelled on affirmation ceremonies held in Australia.
The scheme is part of a wider package designed to help young people from different communities grow up with a sense of common belonging, including a sense of inclusive British citizenship and an understanding of people from other ethnic and religious backgrounds.
The package includes a drive to improve the quality of citizenship classes in schools, a framework for the teaching of religious education, and opportunities for young people from different back grounds to learn and socialise together. Ministers hope that out-of-school activities can be used to reduce segregation in schooling.
The plan to introduce a citizenship day in October is intended to provide a focal point for activities that promote inclusive citizenship. The date has been chosen to coincide with black history month and will include events to celebrate community identity, culture, and diversity.
A £3m programme is to be introduced to establish a network of officials in the 50 local authority areas with the most diverse faiths. Their job will not be to promote particular faiths but to encourage dialogue and understanding between faith groups and others in the community.
Mr Clarke said the package, which is part of the government's new community cohesion and race equality strategy, was designed to encourage a sense of common belonging and shared identity so that in Britain no communities or individuals felt left behind.
But the Liberal Democrats' home affairs spokesman, Mark Oaten, felt uneasy about the idea of citizenship ceremonies for young adults: "It's for parents and schools to create a sense of responsibility in young people, not for the state to patronise 18-year-olds with a ceremony which they are unlikely to attend anyway. These are issues which should have been tackled at school, not in a quick-fix ceremony."
The home secretary announced yesterday that he would be clarifying the existing offence of incitement to racial hatred as well as extending it to cover religious hatred.
Mr Clarke said the law on racial hatred would in future only require "that it be likely, rather than proven, that the offending material would have been seen by someone in whom it is likely to stir up religious or racial hatred". This would make the law more effective against hate crime.
The home secretary stressed again that he did not believe that the offence would criminalise those who told jokes or criticised religion, something which he described as "a proud part of our British culture".
Instead it would be used against those racist organisa tions which have used the gap in the law to target Muslims and other faith groups with offensive and dangerous literature.
Oaths and rituals
Citizenship ceremonies often culminate with the gift of native trees, and are part of life. Affirmation ceremonies for those who have taken out citizenship have also become popular since their 1999 launch. Hosted by community groups, councils and schools - often within a naturalisation ceremony - they are often staged on significant days such as Australia Day (Jan 26) and Australian Citizenship Day (Sept 17). Led by a community leader, it is based on the Australian citizenship pledge that reads: 'As an Australian citizen, I affirm my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I uphold and obey'
Those taking out citizenship must attend a ceremony to take an oath of allegiance. The school day has traditionally started with students reciting the pledge of allegiance
Citizens can take part in a reaffirmation service and repeat the oath of citizenship. Guidelines advise a guest speaker - 'someone who will speak from the heart about citizenship' - and the singing of the national anthem. A reaffirmation certificate 'acts as a special souvenir'. Richard Jinman