Securing democracy through education

Our Chairperson, Fernando Galan represented the European Students’ Union at the 25th Session of the Council of Europe Standing Conference of Ministers of Education taking place between 11-12 April 2016.

Following the launch of the Council of Europe Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture, the conference adopted a Declaration on “Securing democracy through education”.

“I’m very happy to have had the opportunity to represent the European Students’ Union at the conference and speak about aligning these initiatives with important issues such as better reflecting the diversity of society in the student body and student participation as a way to become an active citizen and experience democracy. I also raised our concerns related to freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, academic freedom or discrimination still taking place in some European countries.

Now it’s time to make sure that this tool is adequately implemented at all education levels thought Europe. We need to monitor its implementation and follow it up. We hope that Council of Europe, national governments and student unions can collaborate together in this task.” says Fernando Galan

The Conference brought together about 200 participants from the public education sector of the 50 States party to the European Cultural Convention. Also present were representatives of main intergovernmental organisations (UNESCO, OECD), the European Union and NGOs and observers (Canada, Israel, Japan, Mexico, USA).

You can find all the info about the meeting here