Civic E-ducation

Identified Problem: The Quality of Democracy and of Civic Education in Times of Lockdown

During the lockdown of public life due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the quality of liberal democracy and civil rights, specifically in relation to vulnerable groups, are severely endangered. For instance, citizens have only limited opportunity to enjoy their civil rights such as the freedom of speech and association. At the same time, political authorities all over the EU are instrumentalizing the crisis to enhance their political powers, and anti-democratic conspiracy theories related to the origins and consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic are spreading across Europe.

Amongst the entire population of the EU, children and teenagers constitute a particularly vulnerable group. As kindergartens, schools, and universities are closed during the lockdown, children and teenagers have only restricted access to education. Whereas all areas of education are suffering, it is specifically civic education, i.e. the education on politics, democracy, and civil rights, which needs to be strengthened. A targeted education tool is needed to ensure that the generations of pupils and students affected by the pandemic grow into EU citizens aware of their civic rights in the European liberal democracies.

Proposed Solution: Increasing Civic Education – Improving the Quality of Democracy in the EU

• WHAT: Team FATIGUE proposes to develop a targeted education tool to ensure the continuity of education, specifically of civic education, for European children and teenagers. This tool is free and digital and available in all European languages. It consists of a series of videos focusing on topics such as liberal democracy and its threats/opponents, individual civil rights and political freedoms, as well as specific rights of EU citizens. The videos will use simple, accessible language. • FOR WHOM: This tool addresses all European pupils and students whose education is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. • WHERE: The videos will be made freely available via social media websites such as YouTube, TikTok, etc.