Role of education in democracy

Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education

Education for democratic citizenship and human rights education are closely interlinked and complementary. They differ in direction and scope, rather than purpose and practical implementation. What is the purpose of education for democratic citizenship and human rights education (EDC / HRE)? The goal of education for democratic citizenship and human rights education is to provide people with knowledge, understanding and skills that will help them play an effective role in the community, both locally, nationally and internationally. Education for democratic citizenship and human rights education are not only provided in schools during citizenship lessons. They cover all stages of education: from children to young people studying in colleges and universities, and in the field of adult education - vocational training and on-the-job training. You can find signs of EDC / HRE in campaign groups and on child-friendly websites. The challenge is not just to teach children to vote. It is about how to learn practical things in life, for example: to understand family problems without resorting to violence, to learn to resolve game disputes in a fair and reasonable way; understand why neighbors come together to keep the environment clean and safe, and so on. Why do we need EDC / HRE?

Democratic citizenship is a skill, and skills need to be improved. Many schools have previously studied the principles of building government structures, but not many schools have taught their students to express their opinions in the society in which they live and explained why this is important. The word "democracy" comes from the Greek language and means "power of the people." But research shows that most people in Europe are becoming disenfranchised elements of their own political systems. They do not trust politicians, are biased towards political institutions and are skeptical of the value of the right to vote. How does it help young people? Due to their age, children and young people cannot participate in elections or attend court hearings as jurors, but they have rights and responsibilities, so they have the right to have their say. EDC / HRE provides them with the knowledge and skills necessary for school and future family and community life. What about adults? Many adults have lost interest in politics. People are skeptical of political parties and believe that political leaders are isolated from them and their life problems. At the same time, many people are in favor of improving local hospitals and schools, protecting the environment, or against animal cruelty.

EDC / HRE is designed to help these people see how they can gain the right to influence society. There are other obstacles for those who have the opportunity to express their opinions. Sometimes women are deprived of the opportunity to vote or participate in society because they come from families where men have historically dominated. People with disabilities and the elderly may have difficulty expressing themselves because their voices are harder to hear. EDC / HRE aim to give them confidence and improve their interaction with society. Why is the Council of Europe involved? The Council of Europe is the oldest and largest European intergovernmental organization. The 47 member states cover almost the whole of Europe. The Council of Europe takes care of the lives of more than 800 million people living in these countries. The Council of Europe is the "watchdog" of human rights for European citizens, as well as the "guardian" of democracy and the rule of law, ie the best structure for monitoring the implementation of EDC / HRE in Europe. "If freedom and equality, according to some people, can be found mainly in a democracy, they can be achieved sooner if all people participate equally in governing the state."

Aristotle (384 BC “Education is the most powerful weapon that can be used to change the world.” “You must embody the change you want to see in the world.” “To ensure democracy, people must have a keen sense of independence. self-esteem and their combination. "The spirit of democracy cannot be imposed from the outside. It must come from within. In a true democracy, every man and woman learns to think for themselves." "Voting is one of the few things where a boycott in protest is open. exacerbates the problem insteadits solution ". "The world is a dangerous place not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look at it and do nothing." "Responsibility lies not only with the leaders of our countries or those who have been appointed or elected to perform specific tasks. It lies separately on each of us. The world, for example, begins within each of us. If we have an inner world, we can be in peace with those around us. ” Democratic citizenship is not limited to the legal status of a citizen and the right to vote provided by that status. Itincludes all aspects of life in a democratic society. That is why democratic citizenship is associated with a wide range of issues, such as sustainable development, the participation of people with disabilities in public life, gender mainstreaming, the prevention of terrorism and more.