An initiative advocating the establishment of a European Agency for Citizenship Education

Our goal is to preserve European values and thereby social and European cohesion

Why Citizenship Education

European values, as set out in Article 2 TEU and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, are under pressure.

The EU has tried to counter this trend with several measures and instruments, including a Rule of Law toolbox, annual Rule of Law Reports and the European Democracy Action Plan. However, until now, the measures taken have had little impact on the violations of key principles of European cooperation, such as the rule of law, non-discrimination or the freedom of the press.

 

In order to reverse this trend, the EU must first and foremost invest in its citizens’ democratic competences. Citizens are the basis of democracy in the EU. It is crucial to provide all people in the EU with the necessary knowledge and skills to actively engage in politics. As such, we advocate the establishment of a European Agency for Citizenship Education.

“Who are we without values? Does a community of citizens like the EU function without common values — or do we have the same values and merely different perspectives? Are there wrong values and who is actually allowed to determine them? A neutral, independent European agency for Citizenship Education can help to have these important discussions in Europe in an unbiased way.”

Dr Katja Leikert MP
Deputy Chairwoman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group for Europe and Human Rights

Our Proposal

Provide all people in the EU with the necessary knowledge and skills to actively engage in politics

Learn more

“We must defend our democracy in Europe against agitation and misinformation. A European Agency for Citizenship Education could enlighten with independent, trustworthy information, enable participation and contribute to a European self-understanding. That is why we also call for a European online platform for the diversity of opinion and media. Because democracy and an open society live through discourse.”

Dr Franziska Brantner MP
Spokeswoman for European Policy and Parliamentary Secretary of the Parliamentary Group of Bündnis90/Die Grünen

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