Shaping active, informed citizens through democratic education in schools and local government. The activities are intended to develop the ability to participate in public debate, to cooperate with people of different views, and to foster a sense of belonging to a European democratic community, combining local and international experiences.
1. Identifying partners and developing a schedule of activities.
2.a. Implement activities at the level of educational institutions - schools and universities, e.g.:
2.b. Implementation of activities at the local government level, e.g.:
3. Monitoring and evaluation - Evaluating effectiveness and implementing lessons learned to develop and sustain initiatives and cooperation in the future.
The initiative has the potential to initiate future joint activities between schools and local government institutions at the European level and to strengthen relationships at the local community level. By combining local and international activities, we can not only strengthen local communities.
Classical psychological research, such as that conducted by Hess and Torney-Purta in 1967, clearly indicates that the period of youth is a key moment in the development of attitudes conducive to active citizenship. It is during youth that the foundations of knowledge about political systems are formed, which in later life provide the foundation for civic engagement and democratic action. As research by Brad (1999) and Krzywosz-Rynkiewicz and Kennedy (2023) shows, those with greater knowledge of political systems are more likely to engage in civic activities. However, this knowledge is not sufficient - practical experience in the public sphere is also crucial. After all, citizenship is something we learn not only from books, but primarily by doing. Being able to actively participate in society, being able to express one's own views in public debate, and working with people with different perspectives are the foundations of democratic engagement (McIntosh, Youniss, 2010).
The proposed initiatives aim to create a space where young people can develop these skills. A key element of these activities is to connect the local to the international level, allowing for the sharing of experiences and cross-fertilization within the European community. Collaboration between schools and partner cities as part of the European Year of Education for Democracy will enable young people from different countries to engage in dialogue and exchange experiences, which in turn will strengthen their sense of belonging to a larger European democratic community.
At the school level, proposed initiatives may include the organization of debates, workshops, and research projects that address the functioning of democratic systems and the role of citizens in these systems. Such activities can help students to understand how their own actions can affect their local community and society more broadly. Furthermore, participating in international projects will enable students from different countries to understand that, despite cultural and historical differences, they all share similar goals and values when it comes to democracy and civic engagement.
Also at the local government level, democracy initiatives can take the form of joint international projects with partner cities. This can include joint information campaigns, experience-sharing programs, and research projects that address local democratic challenges and how to solve them. This type of cooperation not only strengthens local initiatives but also allows for learning from the experiences of other communities, which can lead to more effective and innovative solutions.
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