A Forum on the present and future of citizenship and human rights education in Europe has opened in Turin, Italy. It aims to strengthen the quality, recognition and outreach of young people’s education in the fields of democratic citizenship and human rights. The event, from 11 to 13 April has been organised under the Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers by the Education and Youth sectors of the Council of Europe and the Italian Government, in cooperation with Amnesty International, the City of Turin, the National Youth Council of Italy and the European Youth Forum.

Some 400 participants are sharing their experiences as educators and human rights activists, reviewing the implementation of the Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education (EDC/HRE) and identifying priorities for the next five years.

The forum is also addressing successes and challenges in carrying out EDC/HRE in the context of multiple crises (notabley the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine) and strengthening partnerships between various educators, trainers, authorities and policy makers, as well as non-governmental organisations.