The new Council of Europe Education Policy Advisors Network (EPAN) was officially launched in Copenhagen on 23-24 April during the Danish Chairmanship conference “Democratic Culture – from words to action”.

This is a follow up to the decisions of the 25th Session of the Council of Europe Standing Conference of Ministers of Education for the renewal of the former network of coordinators for education for democratic citizenship and human rights.

The new Education Policy Advisers Network will contribute to effective reforms in the 50 States Parties to the European Cultural Convention in respect of education for democracy and human rights in particular by:

1. encouraging integration of the new Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC ) in the education systems of the States Parties to the European Cultural Convention;
2. sharing experiences and discussing methodologies to improve co-operation and effectiveness in integrating RFCDC at all levels (national, regional and local);
3. encouraging the responsible bodies to support the implementation of the Council of Europe Charter on EDC/HRE, with a particular view to further strengthening the quality of education for democratic citizenship and human rights education;
4. supporting the reinforcement of safe learning environments where respect for diversity and freedom of expression without fear are fostered and the democratic governance of schools is promoted as the foundation for effective education;
5. contributing to the development of the Council of Europe's contribution to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for sustainable development (Target 4.7 ).

The conference organised by the Education Policy Division gathered more than 120 participants from 50 States party to the European Cultural Convention.