6th Annual Conference of the
Observatory on History Teaching in Europe (OHTE)

Manipulating history, undermining democracy

8-9 October 2026, Strasbourg & online

Reliable information is essential for democratic societies, enabling citizens to access, evaluate and use their knowledge to participate in public life. Yet the deliberate manipulation of information, including of historical events and figures has become an increasingly visible threat. Disinformation campaigns, propaganda, selective uses of the past, and misleading AI-generated content all distort public understanding and weaken democratic culture in profound and unexpected ways.

Strengthening media literacy and democratic citizenship is therefore indispensable in countering the misuse of history in the public sphere. Therefore, when education seeks to build the competences required for democratic culture , it can play a central role in supporting democratic engagement and resilience. When delivered in line with Council of Europe standards, education in general - and history education specifically - fosters critical thinking, inclusion and dialogue across political, generational, cultural, and digital divides.

In line with the New Democratic Pact for Europe of the Council of Europe, this year’s OHTE Annual Conference, “Manipulating history, undermining democracy”, focuses on how quality history teaching can help prevent democratic backsliding by offering learners the tools to contextualise past historical events. Recent election cycles across Europe have shown how rapidly public opinion can be influenced through the misrepresentation of historical events, simplified narratives, and emotion-driven messaging. The Conference will also examine how these practices undermine trust, distort political debate and weaken democratic institutions, and why renewed action is urgently needed to ensure that history remains a source of understanding rather than manipulation.

Addressing the manipulation of history therefore requires specific competences, practical tools, shared standards, and spaces for exchange. To support this, the Conference will continue with the proven formats of OHTE Talks, OHTE Debates with an intergenerational twist, as well as introduce new workshops that will showcase innovative initiatives designed to combat the manipulation of history.

By bringing together policymakers, educators, researchers and young people, the OHTE Annual Conference reaffirms that history education is not a secondary concern but a central democratic safeguard. “Manipulating history, undermining democracy” highlights the risks societies face when historical knowledge is misused or devalued. Ensuring that citizens have the capacity to critically interpret the past is essential to understanding present challenges and to building a democratic future grounded in accuracy, pluralism and respect for human dignity.

Announcements

OHTE Debate - Call for Applications

Deadline: 26 June 2026

GEN Z ARE BETTER EQUIPPED TO IDENTIFY MANIPULATIONS OF HISTORY THAN BABY BOOMERS

Are younger generations better equipped than seniors to spot and question disinformation on history? Let's make a debate out of it.

OHTE Debates aim to break opinion echo chambers, stimulate critical thinking, and contribute to the Council of Europe's New Democratic Pact and its broader mission to renew democratic culture across the continent.

Are you under 30 and do you want to join the Gen Z House? Have a look at the conditions to apply below.

APPLY NOW