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Data: 05/07/2017
The Paris Declaration in 2015 placed citizenship in the focus of the European Union’s education policy, whereas young people’s acquisition of social, civic and intercultural competences through education was stated as one of the primary objectives in combating the contemporary challenges. The importance of citizenship education is accordingly emphasized in the Council Resolution on "Promoting socio-economic development and inclusiveness in the EU through education: the contribution of education and training to the European Semester 2016 ." The Erasmus+ Programme remains the key instrument of the European Union in the field of education, training and youth in achieving the related policy objectives in the European level, complementing the efforts made by the member states in the national and local levels. Further on, promoting active citizenship, young people’s democratic participation in Europe and gaining of civic and social competences have for long been important elements in the Erasmus+ Programme and its predecessors, in particular in the youth field. Addressing young people’s citizenship effectively however requires synergies across the educational sectors and policies. Still at the European level, education plays an essential role in the promotion of the core values of the Council of Europe: democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as in the prevention of human rights violations. More generally, education is increasingly seen as a defense against the rise of violence, racism, extremism, xenophobia, discrimination and intolerance. This growing awareness is reflected in the adoption of the Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education by the Organization’s 47 member states in the framework of Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)7. The Charter is an important reference point for all those dealing with citizenship and human rights education. It is also a way of disseminating good practice and raising standards throughout Europe and beyond and it recognizes the role of non-formal education and youth organizations in promoting young people’s active citizenship and human rights. The Charter defines “education for democratic citizenship” as education, training, awareness raising, information, practices and activities which aim, by equipping learners with knowledge, skills and understanding and developing their attitudes and behaviour, to empower them to exercise and defend their democratic rights and responsibilities in society, to value diversity and to play an active part in democratic life, with a view to the promotion and protection of democracy and the rule of law”. The main educational principles underpinning this type of education are: valuing diversity, inclusion, equal chances, respect for human dignity and life in peace. This Forum will support the promotion and further development of the field of education for democratic citizenship. It will also introduce the training kit developed for practitioners by the partnership between the Council of Europe and the European Commission in the field of youth. Specific focus in the forum will be on exploring the current developments and future perspectives in integrating the European dimension in practices and policies of education for democratic citizenship with young people.
The aim and objectives of the activity:
The aim of the activity is to promote the European dimension in education for democratic citizenship with young people and contribute to the recognition of European citizenship.
The specific objectives are:
• To map out recent trends, developments and policy processes related to the topic of the activity;
• To provide insight and stimulate discussion related to the concept of European citizenship;
• To provide space for exchange of participants’ practices on addressing European dimension in the education for democratic citizenship, in particular through youth work and non-formal education;
• To identify challenges in approaching the European dimension in education for democratic citizenship and showcase inspiring practices and ways to address them;
• To encourage networking, new partnerships and cooperation among participants;
• To advocate for the recognition of the added value of the European dimension in education for democratic citizenship as a tool for addressing current challenges in the European societies.
Target group:
The activity will gather ca. 50 stakeholders (educators, youth workers, teachers, youth policy makers) from the Erasmus+ Programme Countries and the Partner Countries of the Western Balkans working in the context of education for democratic citizenship with young people.
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