School-community-university partnerships for a sustainable democracy: Education for democratic citizenship in Europe and the United States of America

This guide examines how schools and universities can work together with their local communities to promote democracy in society based on the principles of Education for Democratic Citizenship (EDC), a concept developed by the Council of Europe. Partnerships based on this idea foster civic skills and values in citizens and build the civic capacity of communities through the pursuit of collective solutions to local problems. The guide explores the mechanics of such partnerships in practice, describing how they are built and sustained, and what makes them work. Drawing on examples from Europe and the United States of America, the guide is intended for policy makers and practitioners in schools and universities, civil society and community groups, and representatives of public authorities and government bodies on both sides of the Atlantic.

Executive summary Acknowledgements Preface Introduction Chapter 1 - The need for a more sustainable democracy 1.1. Why should we be concerned about citizenship? 1.2. What does the European concept of "education for democratic citizenship" have to offer? 1.3. How does this compare with the American concept of "civic engagement"? Chapter 2 - School-community-university partnerships 2.1. What are EDC partnerships? 2.2. Why school-community-university partnering? 2.3. What makes a partnership an EDC one? 2.4. What makes an EDC partnership a successful one? Chapter 3 - Making school-community-university partnerships work 3.1. How are EDC partnerships built? 3.2. What are the challenges to EDC partnerships and how can they be met? Chapter 4 - School-community-university partnerships in practice Case study 1 -Refugee Support Network, Leeds, England Case study 2 - University-assisted community schools, Pennsylvania, US Appendix I - Education for democratic citizenship (EDC) - a definition Appendix II - EDC Partnerships - recommendations of the 2008 Forum Appendix III - The Council of Europe and Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education project Appendix IV -A sample of Council of Europe resource materials Appendix V - Author biographies