Charting Europe’s course – Reconnecting polarised societies through community learning and citizenship education

Atrium 6

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Draft agenda

16:30 – Welcome 

16:40 – Keynote address – Introducing the context

  • Isabelle Le Galo Flores, Secretary General, EESC

17: 00 – Panel discussion, moderated by: Piotr Sadowski, Vice-President of Lifelong Learning Platform

  • Tatjana Babrauskiene, EESC member
  • Lars Ebert, Secretary General, Culture Action Europe
  • Wim Gabriels, Director, Eurasmus Student Network
  • Daniela Vancic, Program Manager, Democracy International

17:40 – Interactive part

17:55 – Final address and end of workshop

Short presentation from student and teacher from Your Europe Your Say

  • Kathy Jones, Head teacher, YEYS representative
  • Adam Mokhtari, student, YEYS representative

Concept

The recent European elections have highlighted a fait accompli: European societies are divided, and the rifts between different societal group are growing wider every year. Several factors are at play: the winds of war at our doors, wealth inequalities, post-pandemic backlashes, misinformation and disinformation, and various underlying structural issues that are reflected in today’s landscape, significantly affecting the health of our democracies.

However, it is important to resist the temptation to dwell on the negatives. Europe already possesses the tools to navigate out of stormy waters. Its citizens have consistently demonstrated a commendable commitment to community engagement, volunteering, and mutual support during difficult periods. This spirit of communal solidarity has always been facilitated by a strong sense of citizenship and community. Reinforcing the role of communities as learning environments has proven effective in fostering a sense of belonging and in nurturing democratic values. Europe is rediscovering citizenship education as a societal need: in regions facing significant social divides, various initiatives have demonstrated how community education can bridge gaps and rebuild trust. By engaging citizens in participatory activities, we can foster understanding and collaboration across different societal groups.

This raises some questions: how can we, as civil society actors, capitalise on the strengths of civic and citizenship education to tackle polarisation? Can – or should – education be the primary tool to combat division? What characteristics define a community learning environment that promotes democratic values?

Europe’s future depends on its people. Join us at Charting Europe’s course to explore how education and culture – including lifelong and non-formal learning, community education and citizenship education – can bridge divides, foster understanding, and empower individuals to shape a more inclusive society.

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