The publication Renewing History Education to Uphold Democracy by the Council of Europe (2024) explores the critical role of history education in promoting democratic values, inclusivity, and critical thinking. It emphasizes the need for innovative approaches to teaching history to address modern societal challenges such as disinformation, populism, and environmental crises. It highlights the importance of history teaching as a tool to uphold democratic values, combat misinformation, and empower students to think critically and engage as active citizens.
This volume presents the research findings of the HISTOLAB Fellows 2023/24. The HISTOLAB project and focuses on strengthening the European dimension in history education while encouraging collaboration between educators, academics, and policymakers. Key themes include integrating digital tools, fostering interdisciplinary learning, and teaching sensitive historical topics like colonization, armed conflicts, and social injustices. By 2030, history education aims to empower learners with skills to distinguish fact from misinformation and actively engage as responsible citizens.
The publication concludes by reaffirming the role of history education in supporting democratic culture and strengthening European identity. By fostering critical thinking, embracing multiperspective teaching, and addressing contemporary challenges, history education can empower students to navigate the complexities of the modern world. It calls for sustained innovation, cross-border collaboration, and flexible approaches to teaching history that emphasize inclusivity, diversity, and active citizenship.
The overall vision is to make history education a cornerstone of democratic resilience in Europe, equipping future generations with the tools to challenge disinformation, appreciate cultural diversity, and contribute to peaceful, democratic societies.
Read the publication here.