LAB 10: Education for democratic citizenship and diversity: what can be done?
7 November 2024 - 15.00-17.00 / Palais de l'Europe / Salle 7
Interpretation FR/EN
Sponsored by the European Collectivity of Alsace
Improving the way we prepare young people for democratic citizenship in diverse societies isan essential concern for our contemporary democracies. Faced with the challenges posed by cultural diversity and social tensions, it is crucial to develop innovative educational approaches that encourage mutual understanding and respect for differences, by promoting a multiperspective approach. What pedagogical tools - innovative educational programmes or concrete projects aimed at training committed and open-minded citizens - can be put in place to strengthen the role of education in promoting a more inclusive and democratic society?
Moderator:
Mehdi AHMED, Head of the European Affairs service, European Collectivity of Alsace, France
Discussant:
Marwa, Afghan refugee
Education, Health, Justice, Water: 4 paths to Peace, ALEC Network
France
The initiative is based on four multi-disciplinary and international projects (Argentina, Brazil, Spain, France, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela), designed to have a concrete impact on public and environmental policies. The first project (right of access to education), carried out in Mexico, creates a university for the elderly in the state of Hidalgo, promoting social inclusion and intergenerational links. The second (right of access to health), in partnership with the Guatemalan Ministry of Health, focuses on the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls, in line with the guidelines of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The third (right of access to justice), in collaboration with IFD (Integral Family Development) and the Salamanca National Human Rights Commission, is developing an assistance protocol for families affected by homicides, feminicides and kidnappings. Finally, the fourth (right of access to water) cooperates with the Guatemalan Ministry of the Environment to strengthen the link between land and water, while respecting natural and landscape values. These initiatives aim to improve access to education, health, justice, and natural resources, while promoting inclusion and sustainability.
Presenter:
Emeritus University Professor of Hispano-American Civilization. President of the ALEC International Network "Territories, Vulnerable Populations, Public Policies" ( https://www.unilim.fr/alec/). President International Organization for the Development of a Culture of Peace (OCUPA International www.ocupainternacional.org). Director of the indexed digital magazine Trajectoires Humaines Transcontinentales (TraHs). In 2021, awarded the Nelson Mandela Medal by the Richmond Foundation (Colombia). Author of numerous articles and books on women, sex work, sexual diversity, the elderly, indigenous women and nuns in Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico. Has organized and participated in numerous conferences and congresses. Invited to the World Peace Forum in Paris (2019).
Skopje Climate Assembly, Citizens’ association ZIP Institute for Policy and Good Governance
North Macedonia
The Skopje Climate Assembly is an innovative democratic platform that engages citizens in open dialogues to formulate recommendations on air pollution and environmental policies. By fostering inclusive, informed, and transparent decision-making, the Assembly paves the way for more effective policies and solutions. Traditionally, citizen involvement in North Macedonia’s political process has been limited to voting, confining climate change discussions to elite circles. The Assembly seeks to democratise this dialogue, empowering citizens to directly influence decision-making processes. The main objective is to formulate 20 to 30 recommendations for government action to combat air pollution. In three months, six sessions were held, including interventions by experts, and ended with the presentation of recommendations to officials of the city of Skopje and the Ministry of the Environment. The 65 participants, faithfully representing the population of Skopje, chose to focus on energy, mobility, and public health. This project is backed by the Council of Europe, the EU's Horizon 2020 programme, the European Climate Foundation, DBU, Real Deal, Nexus Institute, and the city of Skopje.
Presenter:
Ivana is a Senior Project Coordinator at ZIP Institute, an independent, nonpartisan, and nongovernmental organization dedicated to advancing democratic processes, upholding the rule of law, and fostering civil society in the Republic of Macedonia. Through innovative, tailor-made solutions, ZIP Institute addresses the most pressing societal, social, and systemic challenges facing the nation.
With an extensive experience in people-centered projects and communications across both public and private sectors, Ivana has a distinguished background. She previously served in the public education system as both a professor and mentor, where she spearheaded groundbreaking projects on critical social and environmental issues and mentored numerous students and colleagues in their development.
Bijak Demokrasi, Think Policy
Indonesia
Think Policy is a unique solution to improve the ecosystem of Indonesia’s policy-making process towards a climate-resilient, digital, and socially inclusive economy. Think Policy launched Bijak Memilih (Vote Wisely) in 2022. It is a platform-based movement to help young voters make informed decisions for the 2024 election. The team behind Think Policy and Bijak Memilih is a melting pot of product engineers, policy experts and community organisers. They are young people (aged 20 to 35) from a variety of professional backgrounds, including for-profit companies, technology startups, NGOs, government agencies, think tanks and multilateral organisations. The Bijak Demokrasi initiative expands the Bijak Memilih initiative by developing an ecosystem aiming to reach 10 million people by 2029, promoting citizen participation through four key steps: informing on policies, encourage public expression, mobilise communities to influence government decisions, and train young professionals in public policy through the Sekolah Bijak platform. These initiatives are designed to strengthen democracy by enabling citizens to play an active role in governance, while promoting inclusive and sustainable policies.
Presenter:
Prasetya Dwicahya is the COO at Think Policy Indonesia and Co-Head of the Bijak Democracy Secretariat. With over 13 years of experience at large institutions like The World Bank and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, he has played key roles in Indonesia’s public sector digital transformation. Prasetya has also been involved in initiatives such as Indonesia’s open data movement and fostering informed political participation through Bijak Memilih. Holding a degree in computer engineering from the National University of Singapore, Prasetya is committed to using his skills to address important issues like climate change and the digital divide.
Action des Artistes pour le Développement et l'Education aux Droits Humains, AARMOC
Tchad
Action by Artists for Development and Human Rights Education is an initiative of the Chad-based organisation AARMOC, which has been using art and culture as engines of social transformation for the past decade. Through a variety of innovative artistic and cultural programmes, AARMOC aims to promote peace, social cohesion, and human rights education, targeting diverse groups such as teenagers, women, and children. The initiative, entitled "Raising awareness and educating voters to promote free, credible, transparent and inclusive elections in Chad", was conceived at a time when Chad was going through a period of political transition, preparing to organise a presidential election for a return to constitutional order. The aim was therefore to prepare citizens for this electoral deadline, by strengthening their democratic participation, and by raising their awareness and training them on the importance of their role in the electoral process.
Presenter:
My name is MBANG NGOUTANE Clairette Paola, I am 25 years old and a Cameroonian national. I live in Chad, more precisely in Koumra in the Mandoul province, where I work as a program manager for AARMOC-Actions des Artistes pour le Développement et l'éducation aux Droits humains. I have a degree in Public Communication for Development, as well as in International Relations with a specialization in Communication and International Public Action from the Institut des Relations Internationales du Cameroun, and as a digital entrepreneur I have worked as a social media, content creator and radio host. I was also in charge of protocol.
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