Citizenship and Educational Policies in Europe

Abstract

If education is an investment for the future, citizenship education is an investment for the democratic future of Europe. The concept of citizenship has always been associated with a complex set of rights and duties explainable on the basis of a common membership recognized and shared. Democracy is not something taken for granted, nor an abstract concept. It requires investment and responsible actions of citizens in daily life. In an age where young people are deserting the polling stations and the public and political life, it is urgent to address the question of education for democratic citizenship, a long-term investment for the promotion of human rights, tolerance and cultural pluralism. This article identiies in European projects, the most advanced experiences of European citizenship. It is a rich and varied projects that show how schools across Europe can learn from each other and how the United States can mutually acquire information and suggestions in order to develop effective policies for the development of citizenship education.