Debate: Implementation of citizenship education actions
Date: TUESDAY, 5 APRIL 2022
Speaker: Helena Dalli
Language: EN

Europe needs active citizens. We need people who feel responsible for their community, for their region, for their country and their union because that is what active citizenship means. It is not just staying informed, intellectually engaged with our surroundings, it is to stay emotionally engaged with the people around us and with those we love.  Our common political responsibility is precisely to ensure that this virtuous attitude, this empathy, is fostered from an early age, and that it is cultivated through education throughout our lives. Part of it requires understanding our political systems in our Member States and in Europe as a whole. But we also need to focus on building this responsibility, this care and the common values that underpin them. This is at the heart of civic education and of a strong democracy.  That’s why the Commission and the European Parliament have been working to open up the Jean Monnet Actions so that younger Europeans can also benefit from it. We want pupils to learn their rights, and to learn about the institutions in their countries and in Europe and how they can have an impact in the decisions affecting their lives. This is also a question of inclusion. The citizens that usually lack more information about how to pursue their political goals are often from disadvantaged backgrounds. In fact, this is equally about a more inclusive Erasmus+ programme and a more inclusive Europe. Overall, the new Jean Monnet for schools will do three things. First, it will support teacher education. We want to help teacher training institutions to develop new programmes and modules on EU matters. Second, we know we are breaking new ground, so peer learning is all the more important. This is why Jean Monnet for schools will support exchanging good practices on citizenship and education, funding networks of schools and VET providers engaged in teaching Europe in the classroom. Third, Jean Monnet will support the new learning EU initiatives. The first school was finalised just recently. Soon, schools and VET providers across the EU will benefit from concrete funding to develop new ways of teaching everything EU—related. These are targeted initiatives and they show how seriously we take this subject. Still, there are many other initiatives taken by the European Commission and all the other EU institutions to support teachers and schools to provide a sound European citizenship education. There is the EU learning corner on the EU website, the School Education Gateway, and the European Parliament’s Ambassador School Programme, all great avenues for learning.  I can only encourage all teachers and education professionals to make use of these teaching resources. I ask you, honourable Members, to help us spread the word. Active citizens are the basis of our European social model and they will have our support.  So thank you, Mr Ruiz Devesa, for your dedication and for your critical insight, along with your ideas proposed in this report. The Commission will carefully assess all your points, and I look forward to working with you and your colleagues on this important issue.