On cover: Learning and living democracy

Education for democratic citizenship and human rights education are vital for peaceful, sustainable and inclusive societies based on respect for the human rights of every person. Effective teaching and learning processes require well-trained teachers, positive learning environments and high-quality learning materials. This is underpinned by education policy, including curriculum development and review, which is the main focus of this book. The strengthening of education policies in the fields of education for democratic citizenship and human rights lies at the very heart of the efforts of the Council of Europe, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Organization of American States. These organisations have jointly produced this publication in order to support states’ commitment to fostering citizenship and human rights education and improving access to quality education for all.

This publication sets out the core competences needed by teachers to put democratic citizenship and human rights into practice in the classroom, throughout the school and in the wider community. It is intended for all teachers, not only specialists but teachers in all subject areas, and teacher educators working in higher-education institutions or other settings, both in pre- and in-service training. Some 15 competences are presented and grouped into four clusters. Each cluster of competences corresponds to one chapter, within which the competences are described in detail and exemplified. The reader will find progression grids and suggested developmental activities for each competence: these grids, featuring focusing, developing, established and advanced practice, aim to help teachers and teacher educators determine the level to which their professional practice corresponds, and thus identify specific and practical improvements upon which they can focus.

Citizenship and human rights education are among society's strongest defences against the rise of violence, discrimination and intolerance. However, their aims, objectives and approaches are not always understood and their implications for policy and practice only partially recognised. This policy tool explains what citizenship and human rights education are about and what they mean in terms of policy making in a lifelong learning perspective, namely, In the different phases of education and training - whether formal, informal or non-formal - from general education to vocational training and higher education to adult education. it sets out a policy cycle involving policy design and implementation, As well as policy review and sustainability. This tool aims to provide support to key decision makers in member states - ministers, parliamentarians and government officials. it can, however, be used by anyone involved in designing, implementing and reviewing relevant policies, whether in government and international organisations, education and training institutions, non-governmental organisations and youth organisations.