Democracy and organisational education
The post-war time has been triumphal march for democracy also in Europe. Civic societies, of which organisational activity is an essential part, have become stronger. All Western European countries have established a solid system of democracy and the respect for human rights. The Eastern and Central European countries are on their way towards democracy. Despite of this, the discussion about democracy is not finished - far from it. Democracy seems to be something that needs to be redefined and reenforced over and over again. The growth or the demise of democratic values and democratic personality are dependent on communities and organisations where an individual can have an active role.
The education supporting democracy in Finland has been mentioned in particular in connection with liberal education. Communities and organisations of civic societies are regarded as important. Social movements are a central environment for instructing democracy.
Workshop D may choose even several topical issues for the discussion on instructing democracy. How to relate to new undemocratic and intolerant phenomena and movements? How to support developing democracies and the civic organisations and instruction of democracy therein? How to apply democracy to working life and management in such a manner that it supports cooperation based on teamwork and networks? What is the meaning of democracy at local, national, European or global level? Can we talk about a European or a global civic society? How to build democratic European institutions? What is the correct relation between democratic institutions and the increasingly supranational economy? What is the relation between political parties and democracy? How to strengthen democracy by educational means?
Excursion
A visit to the Paasikivi College, one of the folk high schools operated by a political party. The purpose is to be introduced to the principles of education in the institution.
