Back Involvement in the forum “Raise your voice for tomorrow’s Europe” - Forum on education for democratic citizenship with a European dimension

The forum gathered various stakeholders in the field of youth to explore relevant policies and practices connected to the education for democratic citizenship with a European dimension, and gain new insight on the topic and develop inspiring responses. 

The attempt to advance European political integration further beyond intergovernmental co-operation leads to the question, to which extent civic identification and will for collective political action is possible at European level? Do young Europeans have opportunities to become socialized to European citizenship? How do we understand the concept and what are the mechanisms to practice it? Is the European dimension promoted using appropriate pedagogical approaches to citizenship at national level? Further on, what is today the role of youth work in developing young people’s sense of civic engagement for Europe and current European concerns?

The aim of this forum was to promote the European dimension in education for democratic citizenship with young people and contribute to the recognition of European citizenship. The activity gathered various stakeholders –youth work practitioners and youth policy-makers, teachers, educators and activists– from the Erasmus+ Programme Countries and Partner Countries of the Western Balkan region to explore relevant policies and practices in the field, gain new insight on the topic and develop inspiring responses.

This Forum supported the promotion and further development of the field of education for democratic citizenship. It also introduced the training kit developed for practitioners by the partnership between the Council of Europe and the European Commission in the field of youth. Specific focus in the forum was on exploring the current developments and future perspectives in integrating the European dimension in practices and policies of education for democratic citizenship with young people.

Aim and objectives 

The aim of the activity was to promote the European dimension in education for democratic citizenship with young people and contribute to the recognition of European citizenship.

The specific objectives were:
● To map out recent trends, developments and policy processes related to the topic of the activity;
● To provide insight and stimulate discussion related to the concept of European citizenship;
● To provide space for exchange of participants’ practices on addressing European dimension in the education for democratic citizenship, in particular through youth work and non-formal education;
● To identify challenges in approaching the European dimension in education for democratic citizenship and showcase inspiring practices and ways to address them;
● To encourage networking, new partnerships and cooperation among participants;
● To advocate for the recognition of the added value of the European dimension in education for democratic citizenship as a tool for addressing current challenges in the European societies. 

Target group

The activity gathered 40 stakeholders (educators, youth workers, teachers, youth policy makers) from the Erasmus+ Programme Countries and the Partner Countries of the Western Balkans working in the context of education for democratic citizenship with young people. 

Venue and dates

The activity was organised in City hotel, which is located in the heart of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, from 14 to 16 November 2017.

The activity was co-organised by:

  • MOVIT –SALTO South East Europe Resource Centre and the Slovenian National Agency for the Erasmus+ Programme in the field of youth;
  • Interkulturelles Zentrum, The Austrian National Agency for the Erasmus+ Programme in the field of youth;
  • JUGEND für Europa: The German National Agency for the Erasmus+ Programme in the field of youth;
  • Foundation for the Development of the Education System: The Polish National Agency for the Erasmus+ Programme in the field of youth;
  • The partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of youth.

Further information in the Call for participants