The Council of Europe is proposing to the Ministers of Education, who will meet in Strasbourg on 28 and 29 September for their 26th session, the development of a new framework convention to create a "European Space for Citizenship Education".
This new instrument will aim to provide a comprehensive framework for quality citizenship education in Europe and create a "European space" for cooperation between Member States committed to democratic values and principles.
The instrument will codify and identify key principles from existing instruments developed so far by the Council of Europe, bringing together the basic concepts and shared commitments of education for democracy. It will also aim to set new standards for teaching, learning, assessing Competences for Democratic Culture and develop new practices across Europe, identify new relevant indicators for measuring learner outcomes, commit to research, innovation and development, and provide support and expert assistance.
The new framework convention should recognise the specific role of the education community, civil society, youth and learners’ associations, and boost the morale and effectiveness of the education professionals already working in this field in member states.
This work is part of the Council of Europe's long experience and achievements to date, such as the Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights and the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture.
