Project activities in more detail

I Development of a Framework and a Policy for Education for Democracy
II Curriculum and materials development
III Training of teachers and teacher-trainers
IV Creation of Resource Centres
V Network of Educators for Democracy
VI Timeline

I. Development of a Framework and a Policy on Education for Democracy

The opening conference in Kyiv gathered high-ranking Ukrainian officials and representatives from the European Delegation and the United States Embassy. More than 150 teachers, teacher trainers, curriculum developers, university lecturers and representatives from NGOs participated in the conference seminars and workshops.

Some of the topics that were discussed:

Why is education for democracy important for a democratic society? What competencies will future citizens need in order to participate in a democratic society?
What pedagogical and didactical approach is adequate for learning active citizenship?
What lessons can be learned from Central and Eastern European countries?
What infrastructure is needed for education for democracy?
What professional skills are expected from education for democracy teachers?

Fellowship Program
A group of Ukrainian scientists, teacher trainers and decision-makers participated in the fellowship program, which resulted in the framework that describes the goal, learning contents, desired attitudes, necessary intellectual and participatory skills for education for democracy in secondary schools of Ukraine. The fellows formulated the strategy of introducing a separate subject of citizenship education in school curriculum as well as incorporating modules of education for democracy into existing subjects.

The Framework of Education for Democracy in Ukraine is the result of 7 workshops in which the fellows and the decision-makers studied the literature and discussed the content and necessary steps in the process of incorporating education for democracy into Ukrainian schools. During the meetings the fellows were consulted by the Ukrainian experts, as well as experts from the European Union, Central and Eastern European countries. Consultation with the Council of Europe project 'Education for Democracy' has also been provided.

By the end of the year 2000 the text of the framework for education for democracy was published in the leading educational newspapers and magazines, the project's newsletter and on the web-site (www.edu-democracy.org.ua) to provide for optimal feedback from the experts in the field.

In the round-table meetings and discussions organised throughout the country, the draft text of the framework was discussed with decision-makers from the Ministry of Education, Academy of Pedagogical Science of Ukraine, representatives of teachers' associations, teachers and teacher trainers.

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