At the ECPR joint sessions-workshop from 20.5.-23.5.2025 in Prague, one workshop dealt with the implications of challenges in democracy for democratic citizenship education exploring innovative approaches. This article provides a reflection on four of 16 presentations from Sweden, UK, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Estonia. L. Kalev provided an overview of the normative and structural…
The essential aim of the EU-funded DEMOCRAT project is promoting democracy, especially through the knowledge and practice of democratic values. To this end, it works with primary and secondary schools, promoting educational interventions that strengthen students’ democratic competences, so that they can participate actively and committedly in all areas of life. Students become protagonists of…
In the last few years, several international studies have warned of a worrying trend: new generations show a growing disaffection towards democratic systems. This situation reflects a record level of dissatisfaction with democracy in many countries, especially among the young population, which poses an urgent challenge for the education system. Faced with this reality, the…
On 27–28 May 2025, Strasbourg hosted the first Digital Citizenship Education Forum, a gathering that brought together over 200 people from more than 30 countries. The event was organised by the Council of Europe as part of the European Year of Digital Citizenship Education, and it provided a timely space for experts and stakeholder to…
As part of the Finnish Living Lab within the EU-funded DEMOCRAT project, nearly 200 future teachers at the University of Jyväskylä participated in an ambitious university course aimed at translating democratic values into classroom practice. The course, organised for soon-to-graduate subject teachers from a wide range of disciplines, challenged the students to explore the concept…
By Sudha Sreenivasa Reddy In the heart of rural India, where caste hierarchies, patriarchal customs, and poverty intertwine, the simple question— “What do you think?”—can be revolutionary. Among the adolescent girls I work with in Karnataka’s villages, most have never been asked for their opinion, let alone encouraged to express it. Yet, over the past…
How educators, civil society, and policymakers can empower youth as active shapers of democratic life. Democratic agency in young people is a core mission of project DEMOCRAT. In recent years, the world has witnessed a surge in student-led movements, addressing issues from environmental concerns to political conflicts. These protests highlight a growing desire among youth…
Participation is a cornerstone of democratic education. However, not every participation process automatically fosters democratic learning or contributes to a democratic school culture. Using the example of the program “Your Vision Schule NRW”, this article explores the conditions necessary for participation processes to strengthen democratic school cultures and contribute to political education. The Participation Program:…
Introduction In a world increasingly shaped by conflict and division, education plays a vital role in promoting peace and unity. The United Nations defines a “Culture of Peace” as fostering values, attitudes, and behaviors that reject violence and prioritize conflict resolution through dialogue and negotiation. Education for Democracy serves as a powerful foundation for this…
Young people can actively shape democracy, and they want to be part of it. Adults are responsible for empowering them in this process by creating open spaces, meaningful learning opportunities, and supportive frameworks for democratic education. Strong democratic education is developed locally through cooperation among key stakeholders. The German Children and Youth Foundation (DKJS) has…
Introduction Carme Royo (Executive Director) and Diana Treviño-Eberhard (Project Manager) of eucen, along with partners of the DEMOCRAT project, have recently published an innovative practice paper in the European Journal of University Lifelong Learning (Vol. 8, No. 2, 2024). Their work highlights the critical role of universities in promoting liberal democracy and fostering a responsible…
by Benjamin Mallon Introduction Geography education is recognised as a vehicle for learners to make sense of the world around them (Lambert, 2018) and to explore and participate in solutions to address global challenges (Dolan 2020). Indeed, there is an increasing argument that geography education has an important role in contributing towards democratic education and…
In today’s world, where information spreads instantly and global challenges affect our everyday lives, understanding democracy is essential. For students in Ireland, learning about democracy isn’t just another subject; it’s preparation for real-life participation in society. Democracy is more than just a way of governing. It’s a set of values that include freedom, fairness, and…
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…