“Why European democracies are more resilient than expected” is the title of a recommended article published on the website of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
https://www.cfr.org/article/why-european-democracies-are-more-resilient-expected?amp
The CFR is an independent, non-partisan membership organization, think tank and publisher that aims to serve as a resource to its members, government officials, business leaders, journalists, educators and students, civic and religious leaders, and other interested citizens, to help them better understand the world and foreign policy decisions. Founded in 1921, the CFR does not take institutional positions on policy issues.
The article points out that in the run-up to the coming winter, many observers were very concerned about the resilience of European democracies during Russia’s war on Ukraine. The triple pressure of economic downturn and inflation, energy crisis and millions of Ukrainian refugees was seen as fertile ground for populists and a wavering of European support for Ukraine. In reality, this scenario has not materialized so far. Europe, as the article notes, is more resilient than expected. Interesting examples show this. We recommend reading it to all who are interested.
Recommended reading on the website: Learning to deal with controversial issues
School leaders know that controversy is inevitable in today’s school world. Through the use of social media and instant forms of communication, students come into contact with issues such as immigration, climate change, terrorism and LGBT rights on a daily basis. Dealing with such issues can be challenging, but how are young people supposed to make sense of them if they are not allowed to discuss them in school? How are they supposed to learn to think critically or discuss democratically if they don’t have a teacher to guide them? Discussing controversial issues has many advantages, but it is not a task to be taken lightly. Among other things, you need well-trained teachers, a relevant curriculum and a conducive school climate.
