Convergence but continued divergence: the evolution of citizenship education policies for schools in Europe

Convergence but continued divergence: the evolution of citizenship education policies for schools in Europe

Introduction Explosion of interest in citizenship education in policy and academic circles New theories, policies and educational initiatives particularly for schools Lots of curricular reforms, textbook changes, and opportunities for teacher development 2

Pan-European activities Council of Europe Education for democratic citizenship and human rights (EDCHR) European Union: 2006 European Framework for Key Competences NGO activities: NECE European Wergeland Centre 3

Summary thesis Convergence Divergence

Convergence?

1. Transition to from civic education to citizenship education... Less emphasis on testing knowledge. More on skills, competences, political literacy Less rote learning more active learning and critical thinking Active participation by individual citizens (voting, volunteering, in school + local policy decisions (e.g. in school councils)) Respect for democracy and human rights, not just for national institutions Tolerance, solidarity and interdependence rather than national loyalty and exclusive patriotism 6

Multiple, overlapping identities Global European Country Region Town 7

2. Convergence of policy aims At school level, anyway Active Responsible Critical thinking Tolerant Global, European, national, and local citizens More recently, addition of financial literacy and digital citizenship to policy agendas 8

Example: Education about Europe All countries teach about Europe and the EU institutions - even non-eu states Common topics/ themes covered European identity (except England!) EU institutions European history

. Divergence

National adaptations Level of convergence = unknown Poor data on what is in national curricula/ taught in schools But curriculum content is highly nationalised Education structures and CE provision varies Policy implementation gap varies Content reflects national citizenship traditions and interests

Example: Education about Europe Poland: John Paul II Italy: Art Ireland: how Ireland has benefitted from the EU Reframed in each context, to suit the local context Multiple citizenship educations multiple European citizenships

Discussion points Convergence of policy aims. Diversity of policy interpretations Some reframing inevitable (also at school level) Some pros, some cons

Pros Citizenship is inherently flexible multiple citizenships accepted, why not multiple citizenship educations? Fuzziness helps member states accept European citizenship Education about Europe works, even if diverse methods used More opportunities for learning about Europe = more likely to report European identity and more likely to support freedom of movement within Europe High levels of European identity among young people* High levels of generalised support for key European values Moderate levels of trust in the EU institutions [But bon t rely on Erasmus exchanges]

Cons Multiple versions of European citizenship no unifying concept that citizens across Europe can organize around Contributes to the idea that European citizenship = thin, weak Let s the European institutions off the hook?

Future and ongoing challenges for schools, societies and citizens Political participation voting Equality and inclusion Financial literacy Digital citizenship and security - participating online, but also privacy, civil rights etc. Citizenship education for the digital age - political literacy, not facts. Identifying, sorting, analysing information 16

Divergence To find out more. Education for citizenship in Europe: European policies, national adaptations, and young people s attitudes (Palgrave, in press. Spring 2014) Special issue of Journal of Curriculum Studies (2009; Vol.41: 2) Convergence. ICCS European Report on youth attitudes (Kerr et al, 2010) and ICCS Encyclopedia Eurydice report on Citizenship Education in Europe (2012) Hoskins et al (2012) Participatory Citizenship in Europe

Current models of citizenship education = out of date? Too focused on institutions, not enough on new/ alt ways in which citizens can participate (e.g. through social media) Needs to acknowledge new citizens power