How to sustain democracy through quality citizenship education? How to integrate education for democratic citizenship into education practices? These were two key topics discussed during an international conference held in Bečići, Montenegro gathering education practitioners and learners with the aim to identify key principles and explore concrete solutions to tackle the challenges faced by European education systems and societies.
Educators, learners and school managers are key actors to be included in any process that aims to find a common framework to renew the democratic mission of education. “Teachers are at the forefront of efforts to prepare students and learners for life in democratic and diverse societies and will play a key role in putting into practice the principles of the European Space for Citizenship Education,” highlighted Mr Villano Qiriazi, Head of the Education Department of the Council of Europe at the opening of the conference.
Ms Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro also addressed the conference participants delivering welcome remarks and was followed by Ms Lejla Dervišagić, Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica and Mr Peter Felten, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Montenegro.
Democracy needs to be learned and for this, the relationship between teachers and students is vital. “In a world of rapid change and deep uncertainty, education for democratic citizenship is not just a policy – it is the moral foundation of our societies”, highlighted Ms Jakšić-Stojanović, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro. “It teaches us that democracy is not inherited, but practiced; not written in laws, but lived in relationships – between teachers and students, between citizens and institutions. Through education, we learn to think freely, act responsibly, and see the worth of every human being”, she further emphasised.
The European Space for Citizenship Education aims to bring back citizens’ trust and hope in our European democracies through strengthening the implementation of education for democratic citizenship. “I am shocked to what extent the broad consensus that democracy is the best form of governance, has eroded – what we now call 'democratic backsliding',” Mr Peter Felten, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Montenegro stressed. “I trust that this conference will provide the conducive environment for you to make further progress so that the European Space for Citizenship Education can be launched as planned, and so that all institutions and persons of good will, across the Council of Europe member states, can draw on the guidance that this Space will provide to them in designing their education strategies to educate, and mobilise, people on the values and principles of democracy,” he further underlined.
During the conference, the European Space for Citizenship Education was presented highlighting its goals and mission. Through workshops and a panel discussion, participants were able to provide inputs, suggestions and share experiences and lessons learned. The practical workshops dived into the topics “Codification of principles for education for democratic citizenship” and “Framework of Quality Assurance” whereas the panel discussion composed of teachers and students explored ways in which the European Space for Citizenship Education can help address current challenges and priorities taking into account the needs of education practitioners.
The main objective of the European Space for Citizenship Education is to develop a framework that would help enhance the quality of education for democratic citizenship and the way it is implemented in formal, non-formal and informal education. Through this effort, the European Space aims to revitalise the civic mission of education and bring about change at the grassroot level (in and outside schools) strengthening a culture of democracy through education.
The conference is part of the co-creation process carried out within the project “European Space for Citizenship Education”, organised by the Council of Europe and co-funded by Germany and the Council of Europe, and it contributes to the objectives of the Council of Europe New Democratic Pact for Europe through consultations on learning and practicing democracy, as well as innovative policies fostering democratic resilience.
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