Background | EENCE - Eastern European Network for Citizenship Education | bpb.de

"Today, more and more people are changing their place of residence, and become citizens of other countries. Under these circumstances, new challenges are confronting civil education. The experience of civic education from different countries concentrated in our focus group helps me to understand better our goals and objectives, and develop new methods of civic education. Because today, the methods that we use need to be more universal, and take into account the difference in the culture of citizens whom we try to educate."

"1. Different countries, even within the country have different approach to solving and civic education, and the involvement of citizens in participation in education management. I really want to identify weak points and identify those positions that will be of interest to individuals who can take some decisions that positively impact on this field, and will help to change things for the better. In addition, it is obvious that the civic education - is a means of integration. That's why I get in this focus group.
2. Germany has a successful experience of development and approval of the country and civic education, and civil society. It would be with other participants to get acquainted with the principles and standards of civic education, both in Germany and in Eastern Europe."

"Being a part of the focus group I intend to widen my experience on civic education, civil society as well as learn a good practicies from other countries. The experience should be transfered to my local community, organization and target group since civic education and civic responsibility should be taught in elementary school and grow forever".

"I decided to become a part of the 'Citizenship Education in Eastern Europe' Focus Group as it provides a basic platform for cooperation and research on civic education in different countries, enabling the participants to gain a lot of experience and skills in regard to citizenship education, as well as share ideas and beliefs, analyze best practices and adopt useful policies for the development of common solutions and strategies in the corresponding societies.
I expect to extend the scope of our professional activities and integrate the best practices from different countries so as to develop practical recommendations and apply them in the local context. Moreover, as the implementation of local projects is a powerful tool for the empowerment of youth and transformation of societies, I hope for further chances of cooperation aiming at joint projects and events."

"For me it was a great opportunity to exchange the experience not only with colleagues who make the world better in they own scale, but also it was a great opportunity to show the understanding of the concept of citizenship education from the local point of view. And I strongly appreciate to BpB for choosing the right way to establish the mechanism of the support through understanding local reality."

"The Citizenship Education (CE) in Eastern Europe focus group is an amazing opportunity and platform for me to get knowledge and experience of its participants' countries and raise awareness in my local community. Younger generation needs to be well-bred and educated on realizing the importance of knowing and protecting their rights. The international projects we carry out together and the example of German model we use is a huge step forward to establish stable and smart ground for the future of our countries".

"I'm active in the field of non-formal education and youth work, for the last two years also involved in civic initiatives aimed to reform legislative basis for youth policy, youth work and civil education in Ukraine. Such meetings give new inspiration and ideas for future work. It's also a good chance to meet the people of same way of thinking, to share experiences and to stay in communication for the future, to contribute with personal experience and to get new energy for self-development. It's important to be connected within the network of the people of same values."

"What makes our focus group special is f.e. that we communicate continuously in English and in Russian, which helps to reach citizenship educators from different working areas and with a wider range of experiences.
At our first meeting the exchange between the participants was very inspiring for me: We are a colorful mix of non- and governmental organizations, that causes interesting discussions about the attitude of the citizenship educators: How far political neutrality under the current political conditions in many countries may go? What is the meaning of balanced and controversial transfer of knowledge, skills or competences, in times of crisis?"