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Both in the US and abroad, a need for more effective and widespread education
on democratic citizenshiphas been identified. Whether it is the International
Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement study (IEA), the
Carnegie Corporation and the Center for Information & Research on Civic
Learning & Engagement (CIRCLE) or the US Department of State, the importance
of promoting democracy through education has been noted as an important goal
for supporting the development and health of democracies around the world.
But how education, as an element of society, should assist in the development
of democratic citizens is an enduring question that is being asked and answered
in both established and emerging democracies everywhere. From his more than
a decade of experience in the field, Alden Craddock has pointed to the importance
of understanding and embedding context in the development of civic education,
“But civic education is not something that can be
simply enacted or copied from elsewhere. For it to be effective, civic
education
must capture
the principles of democracy within the context of the particular country where
it is to be implemented. Although this holds true for other educational and
social policies, because of the nature of civic education, it is even more
important. Since at its core civic education is democratic political socialization
of young people, it is crucial that it reflect both the past and current realities
of the society. ”
With this in mind, the goal of the International Democratic Education Institute
will be to bring together BGSU Faculty, community leaders and other educators
from the US and abroad to promote democracy through education in such a way
that students are provided the skills and knowledge necessary for them to perform
their role as informed, responsible, committed and effective members of their
respective democratic political systems.
School of Teaching and Learning *
College of Education and Human Development
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