Two students of diverse backgrounds collaborating, representing the values of democratic school culture.

Schools as Spaces of Democracy: How Participation Contributes to a Democratic School Culture

ByIPAcomm

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:…

Two young citizens superimposed on a winding wilderness path, representing education for democracy guiding the way to a peaceful future.

Education for Democracy: Building a Peaceful Future Through Learning

ByIPAcomm

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…

A university campus with students and educators engaged in discussions, symbolizing the role of lifelong learning in strengthening liberal democracy

Strengthening Liberal Democracy through University Lifelong Learning: The Democrat Horizon Project as a Model of Good Practice

ByIPAcomm

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…

A visually engaging representation of geography education, illustrating exploration, maps, and spatial understanding

Essential Primary Geography Education: A Powerful Tool for Democracy

ByIPAcomm

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…

Youngsters sharing files via Bluetooth, showcasing the rapid spread of misinformation among peers
|

Detecting and Disseminating Misinformation: Strengthening Critical Democratic Abilities

ByIPAcomm

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…

Two schoolchildren using a microscope as part of a digital learning initiative under Project DEMOCRAT
|

Digital Learning: the Impact of Parental Support in Reduceing Gender Gap

ByIPAcomm

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…

Close-up of colorful building blocks symbolizing the complex elements of Education for Democracy tackled by the DEMOCRAT project

Facing Modern Challenges to Democracy: The Need for Education for Democracy

ByIPAcomm

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,…

Cover of Project DEMOCRAT’s working paper on social innovation in education to promote democratic values
|

4 Powerful Ways Social Innovation in Education Drives Democratic Values in Schools

ByIPAcomm

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…

Participants in a world café activity during Project DEMOCRAT workshop at the International Parents Alliance Parent Summit 2024

Empowering democratic policies: Project DEMOCRAT and Inspiring Change at the International Parents Alliance Summit 2024

ByIPAcomm

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…

A collage showing diverse groups of people embracing, holding DEMOCRAT signs, hands in a circle, and engaged in conversation—symbolizing the unity, collaboration, and engagement promoted by the DEMOCRAT Project’s Local Pilot Projects for education for democracy.

Design of Local Pilot Projects: a cornerstone in the DEMOCRAT Project

ByIPAcomm

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…

Participants engaging in the Transnational DEMOCRAT Workshop focused on democratic education

Advancing Democratic Education: Key Takeaways from the 2-Day Transnational DEMOCRAT Workshop in Dublin

ByIPAcomm

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…

DEMOCRAT logo superimposed on Tallinn's square, embodying democratic education

Unlocking Democratic Education: 5 Highlights from the DEMOCRAT Conference in Tallinn

ByIPAcomm

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…

ICCS Study

ICCS Study

ByIPAcomm

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…