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Education's Role in Democratic Culture

Explore the multifaceted purposes of higher education in a changing world, focusing on citizenship, social responsibility, and adaptability. Join the conversation on democratic values in education.

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Education's Role in Democratic Culture

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  1. HIGHER EDUCATION, DEMOCRATIC CULTURE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Sjur Bergan Council of Europe EURASHE Annual Conference 2007

  2. “HIGHER EDUCATION MADE TO MEASURE”? • What measure? • Increasing pace of change • Mobility in the labor market • Need to update knowledge • Education not a “once in a lifetime experience” • Yet: we often speak as if higher education served one purpose only: preparation for work

  3. PURPOSES OF HIGHER EDCUATION • Preparation for the labor market • Preparation for life as active citizens in democratic societies • Personal development • Development and maintenance of a broad, advanced knowledge base

  4. SOCIAL DIMENSION • Cuts across the main purposes • Equal opportunities • Competence • Subject specific • Generic • Individuals in society • Individuals for society

  5. “THE BIG ISSUES” • Sustainable societies • Environmentally • Economically • Politically • Socially • Culturally • Coping with diversity • Public vs. private space

  6. HIGHER EDUCATION AND CITIZENSHIP • Relies on advanced generic competences • Ability to: • understand complex realities • assess complex and often incomplete information • weigh benefits and disadvantages of different orders • accept short term pain for the sake of long term gain

  7. DEMOCRATIC CULTURE • What we need to make democratic institutions and democratic laws work • Must be developed and maintained in all societies • Not achieved once and for all • Education is key to success

  8. COUNCIL OF EUROPE PROJECT • The Responsibility of Higher Education for Democratic Culture • With US partners • Participation of institutions from other parts of the world • Forum in Strasbourg June 2006 • Declaration • Network • Web site http://dc.ecml.at/ • Follow up Philadelphia March 2007 • You are welcome to join the project!!

  9. SOME CHALLENGES TO HIGHER EDCUATION IN EUROPE • Develop a broader view of higher education • Greater sense of civic responsibility • Work for cohesion and sustainability • See connection between classroom and society • Help universities and academics see their role as actors in society • Take a longer term view in the age of the sound bite

  10. ULTIMATE CHALLENGE? • Help learners • Not only to do well… • …but also to do good

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