The Salzburg Statement for Civic and Civil Education The work of Salzburg Global’s program on Civic and Civil Education–relevant to consolidated, consolidating, and backsliding democracies alike–emphasizes the vital role education can play in nurturing democracies worldwide. Democracy, as philosopher John Dewey noted, is more than a form of governance. In a robust form, it is “a mode of associated living,” a way of everyday life, allowing the harmonious development of the powers and capacities of all individuals in a society. Democratic education should encompass knowledge about skills and attitudes shaped through different methods. Education about democracy Students should learn about the constitution, local and national governments, human rights, socio-political systems, topics related to national identity, and the behaviors and attitudes expected from informed and active citizens. Education for democracy Students should be able to contribute to a democratic, harmonious system in which diversity and social unity coexist, and through which they develop respect and tolerance for each other. For this, they should be taught specific skills such as media literacy, the ability to participate in dialogue, appropriately handle conflict, and think critically. Education in a democratic way Students should be provided with experiences where they can participate, develop their capacities, and create consensus to achieve a better life. Schools are where these skills should be experienced and developed by implementing democratic practices and relationships between teachers and students. In these environments, students and teachers can exercise autonomy and creativity, define objectives, develop judgments, evaluate desires, and consider the consequences of actions.
A CRISIS IN DEMOCRACY: WE CAN CHANGE IT! 2024 is set to be the biggest election year in world history. Seventy countries comprising more than half the world’s population (over four billion people) are sending voters to polls in upcoming elections. At the same time, support for democratic institutions is declining and nationalism is on the rise globally. Furthermore, social media-driven misinformation and political polarization coupled with powerful AI technologies threaten public discourse and healthy democratic dialogue. These challenges arise against a backdrop of critically important issues that require global attention.
EDUCATE Perhaps the most important lever for change at our disposal is education. In ensuring successful democratic education, multiple actors must play complementary roles in a consistent and intentional manner. In addition to formal educational institutions, community organizations, corporations, media and other public sector institutions can also play a role.
Implementation Our ideas about democratic education need evidence-based ways of implementing them. Deliberation needs to turn into sustained action. Our interventions need to be planned, repeated, consistent, and context sensitive. They will be more effective when they encompass many approaches to democratic education. With each of them we should consider: • WHAT outcomes we want to see in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. • HOW we want to achieve them. For instance: formal or informal learning, inside or outside classrooms, through experiential learning, knowledge or student activities, etc. • WHERE it should be taught - in school, in the media, at home, and in the community. • WHO should teach it and be involved in the process and what they need. This includes teachers, specialists, democratic educators, youth workers and volunteers, parents, activists, community leaders, librarians, media, and many others. • WHEN we plan for it to happen and how often.
The Salzburg Statement for Civic and Civil Education was jointly drafted in English by Salzburg Global Fellows.
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