At the end of October 2016, representatives from twelve European countries came together for a "Peer Learning Activity". The topics: Education for the protection of freedom and democracy and promotion of active citizenship.

In March of 2015, European ministers of education adopted a declaration that emphasises the central importance of political education for the prevention of extremism, violence and racism. An EU working group has since then dealt with the international exchange of educational policies, data and practical examples.

A meeting for exchanging ideas was held on 27 and 28 October 2016 in Vienna ("Peer Learning Activity" – PLA) at which exemplary projects were presented for the promotion of civil and social competences. More than 30 experts on education from twelve European countries participated in the conference. Although many presented examples focussed on education in schools, important insights can also be derived for extracurricular youth work and adult education.

Creating networks, promoting competences

Active examples of best practices were presented in workshops within the context of the Peer Learning Activity after Minister of Education Sonja Hammerschmid opened the conference and Christoph Pinter (UNHCR) gave a keynote address. One such example was Zentrum Polis from Austria, an organisation that promotes political education directly in schools as well as continuing education for teachers.

One of the workshops addressed the role of citizenship education within the context of education systems, personnel development and social cohesion. Educational institutions such as schools should not act in isolation, but rather form networks together with other social institutions in order to promote civil and social competences.

Czech Republic: National strategy promotes global education

This goal is being implemented in different ways in several European countries. Thus, a "national strategy for global education" has been in effect in the Czech Republic since 2011, which is to ensure that all citizens have access to education via global citizenship. This not only applies to formal, but also to non-formal and informal educational offers. Special emphasis is placed on the promotion of critical thinking and intercultural understanding.

France: Week-long campaign against racism and antisemitism

An annual week-long educational campaign against racism and antisemitism has been held in France since 2015. Conferences, exhibitions, competitions, debates and other activities are held both in schools as well as at cultural or sports events. The week-long campaign is geared towards pupils of various ages and adults.

Integrating the world of young people through critical media education

Within the context of the Peer Learning Activity, Amar Rajkovic, deputy chief editor of the magazine 'biber', spoke about ways to reach young people in schools and outside of schools in their living environment for political education. 'biber' is geared towards young people with and without a migration background and addresses social focal points in a critical and yet humoristic manner. Thus, media for young people that advocate a pluralistic, tolerant society make an important contribution to education against racism and discrimination.

Further steps: Political messages and compendium of best practices

The Peer Learning Activity (PLA) is the starting point for intensive involvement with the topic of citizenship education at the European level. The EU working group on promoting citizenship and the common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education is about deriving key political messages from the results of the PLA. Furthermore, a compendium is to be created based on the insights of the working group, which will provide European ministers of education with a basis for political documents. The working group will continue its work on citizenship education until 2018.

Further information:

• Paris Declaration
• European working group on promoting citizenship and the common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education
• Press release for the Peer Learning Activity
• Demokratielernen. Eine Vielfalt von Fähigkeiten und eine Frage der Übung.
  Magazine erwachsenenbildung.at, Issue 28, June 2016

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Author of original article in German: Karin Kulmer/CONEDU

Editing of original article in German: Wilfried Frei/CONEDU

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