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130 teachers attended Conference about the "image of the other" in Tallinn
October 22 – 23, 2012, an International conference of history teachers “Intercultural dialogue and image of the other in history teaching and learning” was held in Tallinn and was visited by 130 participants from various European countries. The conference was supported by Council of Europe, Estonian Ministry of Education and Research, and it was organized by Estonian History and Civic Teachers’ Association headed by Mare Oja. Speakers were history teachers from countries participants, international experts, and Estonian historians. The subject of Intercultural dialogue and image of the other in history teaching and learning was discussed on example of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. Participants discussed usage of course books and study material, possible partnership with history museums and archives. Conference visitors tried to figure out a professional portrait of a history teacher in the 21st century, and how past events become history. The workshops in the frame of the conference supported discussions of study environment, digital study tools, sensitive issues teaching, and further cooperation forms. Several Tallinn museums were visited.
Danute Dura, EUROCLIO Ambassador from Latvia, gave a presentation on EUROCLIO's work in the field of intercultural dialogue and a general update on the Association's current activities. This session was an opportunity for history educators coming from various EUROCLIO member organisations to exchange their views on how to be involved in transnational cooperation through the Association.
Elle Seiman, Board member of Estonian History and Civic Teachers’ Association
The 19th Summer School of the Estonian History Civics Teachers’ Association took place from 7 to 10 August in Narva, Estonia. About 90 teachers, including guests from Finland and Latvia, participated in it. The participants were introduced Narva and East-Virumaa cultural legacy and history, lectures on history and social sciences were given and vital topics were discussed. Subject area of lectures covered history as well as social sciences. Vivid discussions were held about euro area future, situation of Estonian media, religiousness of Estonians and experimental archaeology. The Summer School covered various issues and has brought history teachers together once more. Next year the 20th Summer School will be held in North-East Estonia, Põlvamaa.
The Council of Europe, the Estonian Ministry of Education and Science and The Estonian History and Civic Teachers’ Association have together organised the 5th Congress of History Teachers on The role of History Teaching on 21th Century, from 24–25 October in Tallinn, Estonia. The new history curriculum, which is introduced with this school year, was a good reason to bring many practitioners and academics. The Janar Holm, Chancellor within the Minister of Education and Research informed us that the 4th Congres had taken place in 1935, but that to his surprise many of the same questions were asked such as what is the purpose of teaching history and what to teach. He was happy to notice that the Estonian Association, often supported by EUROCLIO, have been able to work on the professionalisation of the subject and the history educators since 1993. Tõnis Lukas, previous Estonian Minister of Education, currently a member of the Parliament questioned in his talk about the Role of History Teaching on 21th century the benefits of innovative and digital opportunities for history education, as he feared that the whole picture would be lost. Tatiana Milko from the Council of Europe and Joke van der Leeuw-Roord, from EUROCLIO both stressed that new approaches are necessary if we want to reach the 21th Century pupil and to reflect new historical research.