by Michelle Miller, AIWC Cologne and Education Team Co-Chair
We begin our focus on global citizenship in May. As an educator and lawyer, this is a topic near and dear to me! One of the most important purposes of an education in any democracy is to enable people to participate fully in the political system of that country. Education should also spark an ongoing curiosity about the world and lead the student to look for ways to improve life for all human beings, no matter where they live.
If you want to take a deep dive into the importance of education for the survival of democracy, consider these articles:
- Explore an excellent primer on democracy, originally written by the US Department of State.
- If you are in a particularly academic mood, the article “Why Does Democracy Need Education?” provides an arresting look at the differences between democracies and dictatorships, focusing on the crucial role of education.
- For a look at the link between education and democracy, these Australian authors consider the correlation between a strong education system and trust in democracy.
- Lest we take for granted the democratizing effect of education, we should note that the conclusion that higher education is necessary to promote democracy is not without its critics. It’s a good thing that FAWCO members recognize the value of critical thinking!
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