News
A new international network for democracy and peace education
A new project by the Zurich University of Teacher Education connects teacher training institutions across Europe to enhance democracy and peace education. Targeting teacher trainers, it aims to integrate democratic principles into curricula and professional development while fostering international collaboration and dialogue, ultimately benefiting students and education systems….
Democracy is our shared responsibility
Democracies face challenges while youth discover political power, necessitating education in democratic citizenship and human rights. Schools foster understanding of political concepts through participation and debates. Amid rising polarisation, critical analysis and engagement in democracy are vital. The Living Democracy Team provides resources to facilitate active participation in democracy….
Extending the Swiss-Ukrainian collaboration for democracy
Ukraine’s ongoing education reforms, supported by PH Zurich, emphasize democracy and decentralization despite challenges like war and the pandemic. Initiatives include the DECIDE project to improve governance and civic education, with a new phase extending through 2030. These efforts require collaboration among students, municipalities, and educators to foster democratic culture….
Parent discussion groups started as new democratic initiative in North Macedonia
In May, a workshop on parent discussion groups was held in Skopje to foster community among parents, based on materials from Living Democracy. Organized by NGO TAKT and Zurich University of Teacher Education, it focused on sharing challenges in parenting and developing democratic values. Participants will trial peer group concepts, aiming for broader program expansion….
SUDECU Movie Festival in Skopje
The SUDECU Movie Festival, organized by the Macedonian NGO TAKT in Skopje, showcased peer initiatives from the Sustainable Democratic Culture (SUDECU) project. The event featured speeches, film screenings, and discussions among participants, highlighting project diversity and challenges faced. The festival demonstrated significant growth within the SUDECU community and exchanged valuable insights….
Living and teaching European values today – with Living Democracy!
The European Conference in Weimar from May 7-9 focused on “Living and Teaching European Values Today,” attracting over 200 representatives from 22 countries. Workshops emphasized democratic values and practical tools for education. The key address by Rolf Gollob highlighted interactive resources on democracy and human rights, now available in multiple languages, including German….
New additions to the Living Democracy Team
The Living Democracy Team welcomes three new members: Nadine Ritzer, a historian focused on civic education; Séverine Chuffart Balmer, an expert in economics and development; and Christof Hofer, a media production professional. They will enhance educational content, expand the program’s reach, and promote engagement with teachers and learners globally….
Peer projects in three North Macedonian cities inspire everyone involved
Several peer learning projects in North Macedonia focus on integrating democratic and sustainable practices into daily life. As part of the SUDECU project, they empower youth and parents through collaborative actions, fostering social, environmental, and economic sustainability. A recent workshop showcased diverse initiatives on environmental issues and intergenerational cooperation, underscoring the program’s innovative educational strategies and alignment with global development goals….
Publication of the EDISON textbook on local democratic school development
The publication “EDISON Experience Democracy in Schools Now” highlights the outcomes of a four-year project focused on enhancing democratic practices in ten Kosovo schools. It offers practical tools and reflections for educators on participatory governance, sharing strategies and challenges faced, including the impact of COVID-19, aiming to inspire future educational reforms….
What does democracy look like worldwide in 2023?
We always like to draw attention in our newsletters to reports analysing the state of democracy, as the current global situation in 2023 was complex, volatile and unequal. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organisation that promotes democracy worldwide and publishes an annual status report. The 2023 report finds that democracy has continued to decline in all regions of the world, with at least one indicator of democratic performance declining in half of the countries covered in the report (www.idea.int/gsod/2023/chapters/executive-summary/). …
