Back The Observatory on History Teaching in Europe validates its 2023 programme of activities

Re-election of Alain Lamassoure, representing France, as Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Observatory for History Teaching in Europe and progress in substantive work: what to remember from the 6th meeting of the Steering Committee of the OHTE.
The Observatory on History Teaching in Europe validates its 2023 programme of activities

Via https://conseil-europe.delegfrance.org/L-Observatoire-de-l-enseignement-de-l-histoire-en-Europe-approuve-son-programme

On 9 February, Mr Alain Lamassoure, former French Minister, was re-elected as Chair of the Steering Committee of the Observatory for History Teaching in Europe (OHTE) for the 2023-2024 biennium, together with its Vice-Chairs, Frances Moss from Ireland and Dimitris P. Sotiropoulos from Greece.

Mr Lamassoure has been Chairman of the Management Committee since 18 February 2021 and was unanimously reappointed for a second term until 2025.

What is the Observatory for History Teaching in Europe?

Governed by an enlarged partial agreement launched in November 2020, the Observatory for History Teaching in Europe aims to highlight practices that encourage the teaching and learning of history in order to strengthen and promote the values of the Council of Europe. It does not aim to harmonise history curricula and takes due account of the diversity of education systems. The Observatory seeks to ensure that its activities are based on a solid scientific and academic foundation, valuing in particular multiperspectivity in European history teaching.

The Observatory was created on the initiative of the French government in the context of its chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. A ministerial conference was held in Paris in November 2019 at the invitation of the then Minister of National Education, Mr Jean-Michel Blanquer, and resulted in the Paris Declaration co-signed by 23 countries. The Observatory for History Teaching in Europe was finally established under the Greek Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers in November 2020.

The Observatory currently comprises 16 Member States and 2 Observer States, covering a vast pan-European geographical area from Turkey to Ireland, and from Armenia to Portugal.

It is composed of a Steering Committee, a Scientific Advisory Board and a Secretariat.

What is the status of the Observatory's substantive work?

  • One of the highlights is the renewal of the mandate of the Scientific Advisory Board and its reserve list, for a further two years, i.e. until 4 June 2025.
  • The Management Board has partly entrusted the preparation of the 2nd thematic report to the Leibniz Institute for Educational Media/Georg Eckert Institute. The report will focus on "Economic crises in history teaching". It is expected to be published at the end of 2024.
  • The Steering Committee took note of the progress made on the Observatory's 1st regular report, expected by the end of 2023, with a significant response rate to the questionnaires sent to history teachers and ministries of education in the 16 participating countries.
  • The members of the Steering Committee were also informed about the activities of the joint European Union/Council of Europe project HISTOLAB, the "Transnational Laboratory for Cooperation and History Teaching". Particular mention was made of the European Days of Innovation in History Teaching which will take place from 8 to 10 March in Brussels.
  • The Observatory's 3rd annual conference will be held on 30 November and 1 December 2023 in Strasbourg.

#HistoryAtHeart

Statutory Strasbourg, France 09 February 2023
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