The theme of the 4th OHTE Annual Conference "History in Crisis(es)?" has been defined in relation to contemporary events affecting European society. For several years, the Council of Europe and its member states have been facing a series of crises on a continental scale but have also been affected by global events. History is written amid crises and focuses on how humanity can overcome them and learn the necessary lessons, and so it is therefore pertinent to ask "How studying historical crises can help us solve the crises of the present?"
With its first two thematic reports focusing on "Pandemics and natural disasters" and "Economic crises", the OHTE has already turned its attention to the study of how these crises are reflected in member states’ history curricula and classrooms. There is therefore a tangible link to the OHTE's work, both past and present, throughout the 4th OHTE Annual Conference.
Is history teaching in crisis?
This forthcoming edition of the OHTE Annual Conference "History in Crisis(es)?", will draw from the rich polysemy of this theme to explore the two pertinent questions: ‘Teaching history through crises?’ and ‘Is history teaching in crisis?’; and uncover potential links between them. Additionally, history and history teaching also hold the advantage of aligning with the priorities and themes of the Council of Europe and its various bodies, as highlighted by the Reykjavik Declaration (2023). This serves as a firm reminder that the Council of Europe is actively involved in the fight against hate speech and disinformation, particularly in the context of the instrumentalisation of history. By embracing a multi-perspective approach, the 4th OHTE Annual Conference will provide an opportunity to address the cross-cutting issues promoted by the Organisation as a whole.
In line with the resolution adopted by the Council of Europe Standing Conference of Ministers of Education on 29 September 2023, the 4th OHTE Annual Conference will also focus on young people and learners, by embodying the new policy of the Education Department of the Council of Europe: #LearnersFirst.
