Project information
Project name
Democracy in the past, the present, and looking to the future: An international network focusing on historical, moral, and democratic consciousness in history education, research and policy
Project manager
Niklas Ammert
Other project members (steering group)
Fredrik Alvén, Malmö University, and Silvia Edling, University of Gävle, Sweden; Jan Löfström, University of Turku, Finland; Heather Sharp, University of Newcastle, Australia
Participating organizations (steering group)
Linnaeus University, Malmö University and University of Gävle, Sweden; University of Turku, Finland; University of Newcastle, Australia
Financier
The Swedish Research Council
Timetable
1 Jan 2023–31 Dec 2025
Subject
History didactics, didactics, history (Department of Cultural Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Humanity)
More about the project
In 2022, a European country has attacked and invaded another European country, in ways that bear strong resemblance to past events. At the same time, there are tendencies in many countries today nurturing a desire for simple answers, a return to perceived past glories, and a fear and hatred against foreigners and minorities.
The social processes taking place today are intimately interwoven with past experiences and come with moral significance. Modern history teaching is expected to develop pupils’ critical and multilayered thinking and commitment to democratic values and human rights. Yet, history teaching has also often served as an instrument for undemocratic and nationalist ideas. There is also a public interest in how to deal with historical injustices and reparations.
The current context motivates a closer collaboration with countries around the globe regarding issues about the content and role of history education in relation to issues of historical, moral, and democratic consciousness.
The objective of this network is to create a long-term, robust and innovative platform for in-depth dialogue, comparison, and research collaboration on how to understand an education that will intersect historical, moral, and democratic consciousness. Monitored by an international steering group, the network invites members in countries around the globe to join through digital and IRL network meetings and conferences to discuss, compare and plan research collaboration across borders.
The project has contacts with the research group Centrum för ämnesdidaktisk forskning inom konst och humaniora (CÄHL) and connects to the Linnaeus Knowledge Environments Education in change and A Questioned Democracy.
