PRAKTIKA SYNEDRIOY UNIPI LEARNING EU (original) (raw)

2019, 1st International Conference Studying, Teaching, Learning the European Union

Citizenship education in Greece is mainly provided by the formal school curriculum and seems to be concerned with relaying theoretical knowledge to students so as to help them enhance their political literacy in issues such as democracy, human rights and the political institutions’ roles and functions. However, there are concerns regarding the effectiveness of citizenship education not only on a national level (i.e. on how to increase participation of certain social groups such as young people) but also on a European level as membership in the European Union (EU) also calls for another form of civic awareness. More particularly, there is an information gap on the part of young people as far as the Union is concerned. Thus, acquiring ‘basic’ knowledge of the European Union (of its history, its institutions, or its policies) is essential but theoretical knowledge alone is not sufficient. Democracy requires well informed, critical thinking and active citizens. Encouraging young people’s practical involvement in the democratic process at European level is therefore important. Positive civic attitudes and values should be adopted and active participation should be promoted especially among young Europeans whose role in shaping and building the future of the EU is indispensable. This paper presents an innovative approach to fostering Union citizenship through the formation of an after school club in lower secondary education in Greece (The EU Citizens’ Club) so as to help students-citizens understand and become familiar with the EU while at the same time enable them, through the use of appropriate methods (workshops, roleplay simulations, debates, projects, etc.) and ICT tools (online forums, etc.), develop civic competences, that is, skills and attitudes in order to actively participate in civic life at European level, in an effort to transform the aims of citizenship education into effective practice.