In 2016-2017, the Council of Europe History Teaching Unit is implementing a new inter-governmental project entitled “Educating for Democracy and Diversity. Quality History Education for the 21st Century”. In this project four regional seminars are envisioned across Europe, aiming to collect examples of high quality in dealing with a variety of issues that can be seen as supportive of the role of history education in dealing with current challenges in Europe. These issues include topics like teaching sensitive and controversial history, diversity, history education in the digital age and the effective engagement of young people.
The Council of Europe organised the first regional seminar in Tallinn, Estonia, hosted at the occasion of the Estonian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe and in close cooperation with the University of Tallinn. EuroClio Ambassadors Mare Oja and Benny Christensen were part of the local team, as EuroClio Ambassador and former President Dean Smart and EuroClio Director Jonathan Even-Zohar were there to support in reporting and moderating various session. The overall reporting was done by Council of Europe expert Luisa Black, supported by colleagues John Hamer and Brian Carvell.
The seminar was a great opportunity for discussion and networking, among policy makers and expert practitioners and representatives of history teachers associations from the wider North of Europe. EuroClio is very glad at the opportunity to collaborate closely with the Council of Europe in this project. The next regional meeting will be in Greece in October.
