In today’s fast-paced world characterized by ever changing social, political, and technological landscapes, the importance of staying well-informed is more crucial than ever. The challenges emanating from mis-information campaigns fueled by the internet have in many ways contributed to the erosion of established social norms and practices critical to maintaining balanced societies where respect for the rule of law, human rights, and democratic values remain entrenched.

Over the past few years, we have witnessed concerning challenges to democratic norms and practices across the Americas. Many have cited the decline of civic education in our schools as one of the contributors to this phenomenon. It is therefore important to promote a culture of engagement in the democratic process in our schools so that our young people are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to be informed, engaged, and responsible citizens. There is an imperative to empower individuals to actively participate in shaping the future of their communities, countries, and by extension the world that they want.

In order to do so we must foment a culture which is, inter alia, geared towards the following: promoting and facilitating informed citizenship; strengthening transparency and accountability; fostering active citizenship; supporting digital literacy; encouraging healthy discourse on contemporary challenges; preventing the rise of authoritarianism; and promoting social cohesion.

Following the line of work established in its methodology by the CIE authorities, and building on the current contexts, the results achieved and proposed lessons to be heeded are as follows:

1. Create hub on Education for Democratic Participation in the Americas

A regional virtual platform for dialogue, analysis, and disseminating information on policies and programs in Education for Democratic Participation.

2. Design and deliver training for teachers on education for strengthened democratic participation and regional integration.

Designed to deliver and develop a curriculum that strengthens education for democratic participation by training policy makers, teachers, and teacher trainers to encourage and deepen democratic discourse in classrooms.

3. Model Curriculum development to foster youth democratic participation and regional integration through schools.

Developing robust model curricula allows for implementing and promoting of multilateral initiatives to foster knowledge exchange, good practices, and technical cooperation to develop and strengthen the capacities of Member States. Once developed, such curricula could be adapted to each country’s needs within the framework of the Inter-American Education Agenda (IEA).

4. Implement a student engagement program for democratic participation

Based on the experience and lessons learned from “Youth Parliament Mercosur” with the Program “The school that we want”. Recognizing the importance of educational systems providing youth with the tools and spaces for democratic participation to become more informed, active citizens in the future, this proposal.

*Activities to be held during the first year of this program have been generously funded by the U.S. Permanent Mission to the OAS.