2024-03-19 17:23:20
Vienna (PK) – In the second and third sessions of the Danube Region Conference, the focus of the debate was on democracy education and the Danube Region as a cultural, natural and scientific area. Keynote speeches were given by Britta Breser (Professor of Democracy Education, University of Vienna) and Friedrich Faulhammer (Chairman of the Danube Rectors’ Conference). Democracy education is a crucial aspect for strengthening and protecting democratic values and institutions, emphasized National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka. The youth must be involved. The key is to see democracy not just as a form of government, but as a way of life with intrinsic motivation. Sobotka spoke about the importance of promoting digital skills and addressing the risks of new technologies. The discussion participants also reported on best practice examples for democracy building from their home countries.
Final declaration: Solidarity with Ukraine
The adopted final declaration, among other things, strongly condemns the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and expresses full solidarity with the Ukrainian people. A significant threat is seen to the security of the Danube region. Efforts to achieve a just peace, stability, recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine are supported. The EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova as well as with Bosnia and Herzegovina are welcomed.
The role of youth is particularly emphasized in protecting and strengthening democratic systems. The importance of educational programs for children and young people, including digital skills, critical thinking and active participation, to strengthen their skills to combat disinformation and misinformation is underlined. In the final declaration, parliaments are recognized as educational institutions that promote democracy.
Breser: Democracy education as a national, transnational, European matter
Breser emphasized that democracy education is not only a national but also a transnational, European matter. Democracy educators would also have to deal with the question of unequal democratic representation and exclusion of people in our democracies. For example, those who are eligible to vote in Austria are, on average, older, have higher incomes and more often live in rural areas. This development affects the quality of democracy and the perception of democracy. Democracy should be seen as both a form of society and a way of life. Democracy education has the task of addressing democracy as a system of institutions, the democratic value system and democratization as a continuous social process.
Among other things, Breser campaigned for initiatives and financial support for state institutions. Democracy education needs professorships, research funding, teaching support for universities and colleges of education. She called for the implementation of an independent subject for democracy education in schools and kindergartens.
Best practice examples for democracy education from Hungary, Slovenia, Montenegro and Germany
In Hungary, there are offers for democracy education from elementary school age to university level, said István Jakab, Vice President of the Hungarian Parliament. They range from parliamentary education sessions to quizzes and democracy games. Introducing young people to democratic institutions allows them to grow into democratic citizens.
Education enables active action as citizens and equal participation in society, said Slovenian Parliament Speaker Urška Klakočar Zupančič, underlining the importance of democracy education. Young people in particular must be specifically addressed. Through democracy building, EU enlargement becomes a geopolitical priority, she noted.
Young people are the most important target group, emphasized Boris Pejovic, Vice President of the Parliament of Montenegro. He reported on a domestic study that showed authoritarian tendencies were increasing in popularity among young people. Young people in Montenegro are more authoritarian in some areas than older people. Pejovic also reported on the successful collaboration to introduce a democracy workshop. There is great interest in the functioning of Parliament. In addition, a new, multi-part educational program for secondary school students has been started.
Tobias Reiß, First Vice President of the Bavarian State Parliament, was convinced that democracy must grow from below. He advocated opening parliaments in the spirit of democracy and allowing students in. The Bavarian state parliament is also going outside to promote democracy. With a workshop vehicle, the “Bavarian LandTruck”, closeness to citizens is practiced through citizen consultation hours by members of parliament, democracy quizzes and panel discussions. Reiß was convinced that democracy should not only be taught, it must be lived and made tangible for people. He campaigned against a “fair-weather democracy” in order to be able to resolve conflicts even in difficult times like these.
In addition to the democracy workshop, the Austrian Parliament is bringing democracy education to the youngest children in kindergartens, said National Council President Sobotka. During workshops, children learn about democratic processes through stories, songs and voting.
Danube region as a cultural, natural and scientific area
The entire Danube region is a material and intangible cultural heritage, and in the area of science, which is a key factor for Europe, the Danube region has a lot to offer, said Sobotka in his introductory words on the third topic of today’s Danube Region Conference. Since this cultural and natural area falls into several climatic zones, a climatic adaptation strategy is important, says Sobotka.
Friedrich Faulhammer, chairman of the Danube Rectors’ Conference and chairman of the board of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM), emphasized in his keynote speech on the topic “The Danube region as a cultural, natural and scientific area” that the Danube region is a natural area worthy of protection and A strong network of universities along the Danube creates synergies and promotes cooperation in order to advance important topics. The IDM sees itself as a bridge builder for which transnational cooperation is at the top of the agenda. Since environmental pollution knows no borders, the diverse biodiversity along the Danube needs our protection, said Faulhammer. Therefore, numerous initiatives are trying to help preserve and restore this biodiversity. Faulhammer cited the “DREAM” project (Danube River Research and Management in Slovakia and Austria) and the BOKU Vienna hydraulic engineering laboratory as examples of this.
In order to promote higher education in teaching and research, the Danube Rectors’ Conference (DRC) network, consisting of 65 universities in the Danube region, was established, Faulhammer further explained. As a contribution to the EUSDR, the DRC actively participates in and organizes the working groups in the priority areas the annual Danube Rectors Conference, with high-level discussions and the presentation of the Danubius Awards. This award, which is presented in three different categories, helps to improve the perception of multidisciplinary research and, in particular, honors the extraordinary achievements of young talent. This collaboration on the banks of the Danube will counteract the brain drain, says Faulhammer.
István Jakab, Vice President of the Hungarian National Assembly, said he listened to Rector Faulhammer’s keynote speech with great enthusiasm because it spoke from his heart. The Danube is a unifying force in our region and this also brings with it great responsibility. With regard to climate change, it is crucial to act wisely and well. The water of the Danube must be protected as well as possible so that the Danube can remain a source of life, emphasized Jakab. (End) gla/bea
NOTE: Photos from the Danube Region Conference can be found on the Parliament’s web portal.
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