On 5 July, the Council of Europe organised a multi-stakeholder workshop to reflect on the lessons learned and best practises on democratic citizenship education and school democratic governance developed within the pilot schools at the national level.

The workshop brought together about 75 students and educators from 15 schools representing four Regional Directorates of Education in Albania, senior officials from the Ministry of Education and Sport, the Quality Assurance Agency for Pre-University Education (ASCAP), lecturers, representatives of Academia, CSOs, and representatives from the National Parents' Council.

Council of Europe experts steered the exchanges on student-led initiatives at school and in respective communities based on the contemporary methodologies of democratic citizenship education. Through a participatory and interactive approach, the workshop revealed the enhanced knowledge and skills acquired by students and teachers through the Council of Europe project Strengthening Education for Democratic Citizenship in Albania. They praised the innovative tools piloted in their schools to deal with some of the main challenges of democracy today, such as digital citizenship, freedom of expression, anti-discrimination, gender equality, the environment, and democratic participation.

The best practises identified during the workshop will contribute to shaping the national policies practises on democratic citizenship education and a safe school environment, as well as being promoted to other Council of Europe member states.

The Council of Europe project Strengthening Democratic Citizenship Education in Albania is financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).