2005: The European Year of Citizenship through Education “Learning and living democracy ”

EDC Project Project with two phases:  First phase:  Definition of concepts  Inventory of needs  Production of educational material  Second phase:  Dissemination in member states  Creation of a network of EDC coordinators  European Year of Citizenship:2005  Implementation of the Recommendation Rec (2002)12 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on Education for Democratic Citizenship

EDC Project  October 1997 : Launching of the project “Education for Democratic Citizenship (EDC) by the Heads of State and Government of the Council’s of Europe member states at their Second Summit  Aim : Promote citizens’ awareness of their rights and responsibilities in a democratic society

Results :  Increased understanding of EDC concepts, practices and methods  Successful co-operation and analysis of citizenship sites (grass-roots projects) in communities and schools  Production of various studies and teaching material  Creation of a large network of decision-makers, experts, practitioners, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs ) At the political level :  Adoption of the “Resolution on results and conclusions of the completed projects” that includes the draft common guidelines on EDC (Cracow 2000) First phase:

Objectives :  Apply the results of the first phase into policies and practices  Focus the programme of activities on four pillars:  EDC policy development  Creation of a network of EDC coordinators  Communication and dissemination  Preparation of the 2005 European Year of Citizenship through Education Second phase: Second phase :

Result at the political level:  Recommendation Rec (2002)12 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on Education for Democratic Citizenship

Target groups :  All age groups and all social classes  Policy makers and local authorities  Teachers, trainers, pupils, pupils’ parents and specialists in the education sector  NGOs and communities

 Dissemination activities  Organisation of conferences, seminars and implementation of training activities, study visits and exchange Working methods and activities :

Objectives of the “ Year ” :  Promote the implementation of Recommendation Rec (2002) 12 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on education for democratic citizenship  Bridge policy and practice by empowering policy makers and practitioners at all levels to set up and develop sustainable programmes for EDC and Human Rights Education (HRE)  Raise awareness, strengthen the commitment of member states  Provide member states with a framework and tools  Encourage the development of initiatives and partnerships to promote EDC and HRE And… share the wealth of knowledge

Who is the “Year” for?  Education policy deciders  Multipliers and professionals  Target groups broadened to higher education  Decision-makers at local level, and civil society  General public in awareness raising activities to deal with:  Human Rights and peace education  EDC/HRE teacher training  Tolerance and anti-racism  Intercultural dialogue in education  Equality between women and men  Minorities, terrorism and security in Europe

Organisation of the “Year” at the Council of Europe  Ad hoc Committee of experts (CAHCIT) (15 members)  Steering Comittee for Education (CDED)  Steering Committee for Higher Education and Research (CDESR)  Steering Committee for Human Rights  EDC Steering Group  EDC coordinators  Joint Council on Youth  Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe  Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

Organisation of the “Year” (continued) Partnerships  Different sectors of the Council of Europe, notably the entire DG IV (Directorate General – Education, Culture and Heritage, Youth and Sport)  Governments  International and intergovernmental Institutions (European Commission, UNESCO, OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe), OHCHR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights)  NGOs

Activities carried out by the Council of Europe Dissemination of information and publications in member states through  CoE information Centres  Coordinating committees EDC Pack (Tool 1 on key issues for EDC policies, Tool 2 on democratic governance in education, Tool 3 on teacher training for EDC and HRE and Tool 4 on quality assurance and self-evaluation in EDC Coordinators meeting in Dubrovnik (14-16 April 2005) on:  sustainability of EDC  Tools 3 and 4 of the EDC Pack Conference on the role of NGOs in the field of EDC in Warsaw (21-24 April 2005) to encourage increased co-operation between formal and non-formal education Teacher training Conference in Strasbourg (15-17 June 2005) Special website on the “Year” with links to the national websites

Activities carried out in member states : training courses, seminars, conferences, workshops and round-table discussions innovative public awareness events (lectures, exhibitions and press campaigns or similar programmes addressing a wider public) competitions for pupils and students and video competitions on EDC creation of networks and development of databases creation of coordinating committees translations and dissemination of EDC materials Consult the EDC website:

Evaluation of the 2005 European Year of Citizenship through Education Organisation by the Council of Europe of an Evaluation Conference “Learning and living democracy: the way ahead” in Bucharest on April 2006 to take stock of the “Year” and to launch a new phase of the EDC project

To conclude : “Vision without action is just a dream Action without vision is a waste of time Vision with action can change the world” Nelson Mandela

For more information EDC Division Directorate General IV, Education, Culture and Heritage, Youth and Sport Division for Citizenship and Human Rights Education F Strasbourg Cedex Tel: +33 (0) Fax: + 33 (0) Agneta Derrien: