On June 14 we hosted our second community gathering ‘PFI at Villa Poranek’. Bringing together over 50 philanthropists, investors, foundations and civil society experts, this event provided an opportunity to discuss a series of important topics for democracy in Poland and Europe.
The Salon conducted held under the title: Civic Education: How can civic education move us towards a vibrant, self-governing society? was introduced by Igor Czernecki and moderated by Aleksander Pawlicki. The discussion emphasized the crucial role of civic education in shaping a strong civic community. Key topics included the integration of civic education throughout the entire education system, the importance of fostering relationships within schools, and addressing challenges such as teacher autonomy and burnout. The panel also discussed practical steps for engaging students and adults in civic life.
The whole summary of the discussion is presented below.
The discussion on civic education started with a reflection on its philosophical foundations, dating back to ancient Greece. It was emphasised that limiting civic education to school subjects such as “History and the Present” is a big mistake. The key element should be to educate teachers in a way that allows them to build relationships with students to stimulate them to become conscious citizens. Civic education should permeate the entire education system and not just be a standalone add-on.
Another issue raised was the role of education in society. Rather than seeing education as a tool that serves the labour market, participants in the debate agreed that it should be used to build a strong civic community.
The discussion also focused on the importance of relationships at school. Participants agreed that civic education cannot be limited to the classroom and must involve the entire school environment, including relationships between students, teachers and principals. The need to properly educate not only teachers but also principals in order to foster openness and understanding at school was highlighted.
Lack of teacher autonomy and their professional burnout were other issues discussed. Participants noted that without autonomy and support, teachers are unable to effectively transmit civic values to students. One participant stressed that civic education should be practical and prepare young people for active participation in society, teaching them about the constitution, election procedures and civic rights.
It was also debated that civic education should be present from kindergarten to the end of secondary school, regardless of the subject structure. Some
participants noted that civic education should not end at school and it is essential that adults also feel like citizens and get involved in society, not only during elections.
A number of participants defended the concept of civic education as a subject where young people learn the theoretical basics, such as the conduct of elections, the structure of government or the terms of office of MPs. Others pointed out that the most important thing in education is the relationship between the class and the teacher, because young people feel the value of civic education when they are actively involved and have a say in their actions.
To conclude, the discussion showed the diversity of opinions while underlining the need for a holistic approach, which includes not only theoretical teaching, but also practical experience and civic community building in everyday school and out-of-school life.
