Paying attention to the reinforcement of citizenship and social integration through education is nothing new – schools have been dealing with this theme in various ways for a long time. Examples include the school’s pedagogic function, social, moral and philosophical studies, environmental education, intercultural education, pupil participation and the social traineeship.
The central question here is to what extent all these activities in fact yield the desired result and whether any particularly successful ways can be distinguished in which education fulfils its duty of contributing to active citizenship and social integration. The effects of citizenship education are being researched in a longitudinal study in which pupils’ development is monitored over a number of years. In addition, intervention research is used to determine to what extent certain forms of citizenship education result in better competences in pupils and contribute to greater levels of tolerance. Where possible, effects are examined in an internationally comparative context, since different countries often define citizenship and social cohesion in education in different ways.
For more information:
dr. Ralf Maslowski
tel. 050 363 7165
