Detecting Misinformation: Challenges and Impacts on Democracies The proliferation of misinformation on social media platforms represents a considerable threat for the quality of public discourse and the integrity of democratic processes (Reglitz, 2022; McKay & Tenove, 2021; Silva & Proksch, 2021). The ability to accurately classify and identify misinformation is essential in order to mitigate…
Policy Challenges and Envisaged Changes in Digital Learning In recent years, the use of online learning tools in education has increased significantly in most developed countries. This trend was further accelerated by the COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent school closures in 2020. Given the increasing prevalence of these tools and their likely integration into mainstream…
Building a Democratic Future with Education In today’s world, democracy faces a unique set of challenges, from the spread of misinformation to political polarization and global crises like climate change. As these issues evolve, so does the need for a well-informed and engaged citizenry. Education for Democracy (EfD) is one of the most effective ways…
Building a Democratic Future Through Education for Democracy As we navigate today’s world filled with pressing challenges—like rising polarization, environmental crises, and digital shifts—there’s a critical need to rethink how we approach democratic education. Enter the DEMOCRAT project: a forward-thinking initiative aiming to transform education across Europe by focusing on Education for Democracy (EfD). By…
The Evolving Threats to Democracy Education for Democracy (EfD) emerges as an essential approach to equip citizens—especially young people—with the knowledge and skills to address these critical challenges and uphold democratic values in today’s interconnected world. Democracy as a political and social order is increasingly under pressure worldwide, facing complex and interconnected challenges. Rising polarization,…
Education for Democracy – A Cornerstone of European Identity Democracy forms the bedrock of European identity, uniting diverse nations under shared values of freedom, justice, and responsible citizenship. With growing polarization, advancing digitalization, and urgent sustainability needs, European democracies face unique challenges. Education for Democracy (EfD) emerges as a vital tool to address these concerns,…
As modern democracies face a range of social challenges, fostering democratic values from an early age has never been more critical. Project DEMOCRAT is leading the way by introducing social innovation into educational settings, providing a framework for democratic engagement that benefits students, educators, and communities alike. Here, we explore four transformative ways that social…
Introduction: A Spotlight on Project DEMOCRAT The International Parents Alliance Parent Summit 2024 served as a significant platform for thought leaders, educators, and parents worldwide to come together and discuss transformative approaches in education. At the heart of these discussions was Project DEMOCRAT, a visionary initiative dedicated to fostering democratic values in schools and strengthening…
Introduction The Design of Local Pilot Projects (LPPs), a core deliverable of the DEMOCRAT project, focuses on creating educational interventions that strengthen democratic civic competencies. These pilots are crucial as they aim to empower students and educators across six EU countries—Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, and Spain—to actively participate in democratic processes. Within the broader…
Marta Warat and Paulina Sekuła, scholars from the Jagiellonian University and members of the DEMOCRAT project consortium, recently participated in the 16th European Sociological Association (ESA) conference held in Porto from August 27th to 30th, 2024. The conference, themed “Tensions, Trust and Transformation,” gathered around 4000 sociologists and researchers to discuss social changes and the…
Introduction to Digital Literacy in Disadvantaged Schools Parents International is participating in DRONE, a Horizon Europe project focusing on digital literacy and supporting digital citizenship education, particularly for disadvantaged students and schools. We are conducting primary research with students, teachers, parents, and school leaders in the Netherlands and Germany, and supporting our Hungarian partner in…
Overview of the Transnational DEMOCRAT Workshop The recent Transnational DEMOCRAT Workshop, hosted at Dublin City University (DCU) from June 6-7, 2024, aimed to enhance democratic education across Europe by bringing together educators, researchers, and policymakers to discuss and refine strategies for promoting democracy through education. This workshop, funded by the European Union’s HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination…
Day 1: Unveiling the Role of Education in Democratic Citizenship The DEMOCRAT Conference in Tallinn offered a stage for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to delve into the crucial nexus of education and democracy. Spanning two days, the conference featured enlightening discussions, research presentations, and collaborative sessions aimed at exploring the challenges and opportunities in democratic…
On the 28th of November, the results of the 2022 cycle of the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) were published [https://www.iea.nl/sites/default/files/2023-12/ICCS-2022-International-Report.pdf]. The study was conducted in 22 countries and two German benchmarking regions. The sample includes 19 European countries, 16 of them from the European Union; 2 South American countries and one Asian…