Blog by Aljosa Rudas
“Democracy is not inherited, but practised; not written in laws, but lived in relationships — between teachers and students, between citizens and institutions. Through education, we learn to think freely, act responsibly, and see the worth of every human being.”
With this powerful statement, Ms. Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro, opened the two-day international conference Towards a European Space for Citizenship Education, held in Bečići and organised by the Council of Europe, co-funded by Germany.
Over sixty participants, representing all levels of the education system, from students and teachers to experts, policymakers, and NGO representatives, came together to explore two essential questions: how can we sustain democracy through quality citizenship education? and how can education for democratic citizenship be integrated into educational practice?
For me, one of the most meaningful aspects of this conference was the visibility and importance given to Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), while embracing all forms of learning: formal, non-formal, and informal. This recognition that democracy begins early, and that learning to live together is a lifelong process, was at the heart of our exchanges.
The first day was marked by engaging and committed discussions, an important step in co-creating the European Space for Citizenship Education. Together with stakeholders representing the entire educational ecosystem, we reflected on how education at all levels, from early years to adult learning, can become a shared and sustained effort to strengthen, nurture, and promote democracy and the values that underpin it, yet are so often taken for granted.
The second day provided a platform for students and teachers to share their perspectives on citizenship education, discussing its application in their daily practices, areas where it falls short, and potential improvements for greater relevance and inclusivity. Listening to their experiences was a powerful reminder that democracy is not inherited but lived and learned through relationships, participation, and shared responsibility.
I am pleased to be part of this journey, contributing my expertise and experience, and serving as a voice for ECEC in the Early Childhood Working Group of the Council of Europe’s European Space for Citizenship Education, while representing International Child Development Initiatives (ICDI).
At ICDI, we believe that the early years set the foundation for how democracy takes shape. By promoting participation as a core value and practice, we help children experience the essence of democracy from the start. One of the ways we do this is through TOY4Participation[1], an innovative project that promotes meaningful child participation in ECEC settings. It focuses especially on non-formal, community-based services like Play Hubs, which provide safe and inclusive spaces where all children can actively engage in their own learning and decision-making.
At the heart of our work is the TOY4Participation Toolkit, developed to support practitioners in embedding meaningful participation into their daily practice with young children in non-formal ECEC settings.
In my view, this process is more than a series of consultations. It is an opportunity to rebuild and extend a much-needed space for democracy, one that belongs to all of us, across all ages and learning environments. I believe that each and every small learning opportunity can become a moment to experience, learn, and live democracy, starting from the very first years of life.
Photo: © Council of Europe – All rights reserved
[1] The TOY4Participation consortium, led by International Child Development Initiatives (NL), includes: Open Academy Step by Step (Croatia), Partners for Democratic Change/Partners Hungary Foundation (Hungary), Associazione 21 Luglio and Cubo Libro (Italy), Centre for Education Initiatives – CEI (Latvia), Wide Open School (Slovakia), Educational Research Institute (Slovenia), Labor and Health Social Initiatives (Ukraine), and For Our Children Foundation (Bulgaria), and the ISSA Hub (NL) as a communication impact and dissemination partner. Co-Funded by: The European Commission support for this project does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflect the views only of the hosts, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
