Catalog
Competences for democratic culture - Living together as equals in culturally diverse democratic societies - Executive summary (2016)
Contemporary societies within Europe face many challenges, including declining levels of voter turnout in elections, increased distrust of politicians, high levels of hate crime, intolerance and prejudice towards minority ethnic and religious groups, and increasing levels of support for violent extremism. These challenges threaten the legitimacy of democratic institutions and peaceful co-existence within Europe.
Formal education is a vital tool that can be used to tackle these challenges. Appropriate educational input and practices can boost democratic engagement, reduce intolerance and prejudice, and decrease support for violent extremism. However, to achieve these goals, educationists need a clear understanding of the democratic competences that should be targeted by the curriculum.
The Council of Europe has produced a new conceptual model of the competences which citizens require to participate in democratic culture and live peacefully together with others in culturally diverse societies.
This brochure contains the executive summary of Competences for Democratic Culture for quick and easy reference. The full text is available in Council of Europe publication ISBN 978-92-871-8237-1.