Developing Competences for Democratic Culture through Neo-Socratic dialogue 

Lately there is a lack of democratic culture in our democratic countries. Social media allow everyone to express his or her opinion freely but not many people are prepared to listen carefully to others. The public space is filled with a lot expectations but there is little will to meet and understand other people and to be ready to search for the best possible solution for all not just for oneself. In 2016 the Council of Europe has developed a Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture - the results of their work on competences which citizens need to develop in order to be able to participate in democratic culture and live peacefully in diverse societies. This Model consists of 20 competences which are divided into four areas - Values, Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge and critical understanding.

Neo Socratic Dialogue is based on European basic values and fosters them, e.g. democracy, honesty in the dialogue and effort to understand different opinions, life perspectives etc. It helps participants to gain new insights and important competences: it fosters people's own critical thinking in creative and effective ways. But most importantly it STRIVES FOR A CONSENSUS.

In order to help to develop the competences for democratic culture, the following specific goals are established:

1. To provide educators with tools to address the competence for democratic culture: we will prepare a Guide for teachers on how to support development of competences for democratic culture through the method of Neo Socratic dialogue: specific educational activities and tools applicable in the context of secondary schools with pupils of the age 14-20 will be developed. The guide will explain the model of competences for democratic culture (European Council and the ideas behind), the principles of a Neo Socratic dialogue as a method for developing these competences. Each partner organization will evaluate the Guide and its usefulness together with teachers (2 day workshop), the Guide will be prepared and translated in native languages of partner organisations (CZ, IT, BG).

2. To raise awareness of the relevance of Neo Socratic Dialogue approach and competences for democratic culture among relevant agents in the educational decision-making: Participating organisations will invite 30 relevant agents related to formal education, to the multiplier events that will be held, in their country.

3. To develop a network of organisations and schools interested in Neo Socratic Dialogue and Competences for Democratic Culture in each country (Czech republic, Italy and Bulgaria) and internationally as well.

The final Guide will be broadcasted in three on-site conferences, expecting to be attended by 90 key agents of the educative decision-making process and teachers. Also a summary short video promoting the Neo Socratic Dialogue as a suitable method for developing competence for democratic culture will be prepared in English and with subtitles in partner languages and disseminated through web and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube). We hope that thanks to the dissemination tools and effective online distribution at least 3.000 European citizens will gain approach to the Guide, and that most of them will be teachers, trainers or youth workers.

Project news and activities

• October 2020: The first online meeting for all partner organisations was held on 8. of October. Due to Covid-19 it will be probably not possible to meet in person :(