The 16th plenary meeting of the Education Policy Advisors’ Network (EPAN), held in Strasbourg on 19–20 May 2026, brought together education experts and policymakers from across Europe to advance work on democratic citizenship education and the European Space for Citizenship Education (ESCE). The meeting took place at a particularly important moment for the Council of Europe’s education agenda, ahead of the 27th Session of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education, to be held later this year in Montenegro.
Throughout the two-day meeting, participants explored how democratic citizenship education can better respond to current societal and democratic challenges while remaining firmly rooted in shared Council of Europe values. Discussions focused in particular on the emerging Principles for Education for Democratic Citizenship and the new Quality Framework for Education for Democratic Citizenship, both key components of the European Space for Citizenship Education. Workshops introduced by Council of Europe experts Gert Biesta and Valeria Damiani provided space for exchanges on how these frameworks can support member states in developing high-quality and context-sensitive approaches to citizenship education.
Participants highlighted the importance of practical and adaptable tools capable of supporting schools, teachers, and policymakers in fostering democratic culture, participation, and inclusion across education systems. Presentations also examined democratic citizenship education in early childhood education and care, as well as vocational education and training, underlining the need to embed democratic competences throughout all stages of education.
The second day featured exchanges on recent national developments related to the implementation of the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC), with contributions from Andorra, Estonia, France, and the United Kingdom. Participants also reviewed ongoing Council of Europe initiatives in digital citizenship education, including AI literacy, alongside presentations on co-operation projects, the new Toolkit for a Democratic and Inclusive School Culture, and the Gender Equality in Education Scorecard.
As democratic societies continue to face complex challenges, participants emphasised the vital role of education in fostering participation, critical thinking, and democratic culture across Europe. The discussions in Strasbourg reflected a shared ambition to ensure that democratic citizenship education remains both meaningful in practice and responsive to the realities faced by learners and educators across Europe.
