DARE Network

Democracy and Human Rights Education in Europe

The Centre for Global Education has been an active member of the DARE network since 2004, believing it to be important to develop ongoing European links with similar organisations to ourselves. In 2007 CGE was invited to coordinate one of the working groups looking at research in democracy and human rights education.

The following article by one of the Network’s leading members outlines its purpose and vision. To find out more contact us to send you a copy of the booklets: Why DARE? And DARE in Action.

DARE – DEMOCRACY AND
HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION

- was founded as a European network in summer 2002, initiated by the Association of German Educational Centres (AdB).
The network has so far been joined by 37 NGOs, academic, research and other organisations from 23 European countries.
What were the reasons for establishing the network and why do we think DARE is unique?

Democracy and Human Rights are not to be taken for granted.  They should be defended constantly; they have to react to new and often very complex questions and developments; they ought to be deeply rooted in society and shared as common values.  Politics must obviously refer to them for reasons of legitimisation but often, in our countries too, even elementary human rights are called into question.  The rules and contexts for democracy are constantly re-evaluated and have to be reinterpreted according to new challenges.  Democracy therefore cannot do without education which forms the infrastructure necessary for awareness raising and for the development of democratic culture in order for human rights to be maintained and secured.

The importance of education for democratic citizenship (EDC) and human rights education (HRE) is universally recognized.  An impressive number of dynamic NGOs are carrying out invaluable work in these fields.  DARE has been established to address two main shortcomings perceived in the present arrangements for those NGOs around Europe which specialise in these fields, i.e.

• the lack of adequate resources and isolation of NGOs, which makes it difficult for them to access information, potential European partners (and in consequence common projects or development/training opportunities), and effective lobbying;
• the tendency to treat separately the distinct but nonetheless closely interrelated fields of EDC and HRE.

As a Europe-wide network focusing on the twin-fields of EDC and HRE, DARE has created a new environment in which such organisations can thrive, benefiting from common services and a pooling of experience and expertise, which – as the network develops – will create a common purpose and focus for EDC/HRE.  Funded by the European Grundtvig 4 programme DARE started its activities in 2003 for a three-year period which should establish the basis for sustainable development in the long run.

The network represents a remarkable range of different approaches, concepts and competences, alongside a great variety of organisational structures, organisational cultures, traditions and frameworks.  “Western” traditions meet exciting activities of NGOs in the new democracies of Eastern and South Eastern Europe.  Umbrella organisations meet small NGOs.  Academic research institutions with an expertise in the development of training materials meet grass-root organisations combining theory and practice for a great variety of target groups.  National authorities are involved adding a special focus on educational administration and the promotion of EDC and HRE.
The broad variety both in EDC and HRE opens numerous opportunities for mutual learning and mutual support in the network.

DARE’s common vision is to promote – within the enlarged Europe for all the citizens – a deeper understanding and commitment to human rights and democracy through education.  DARE seeks to raise the profile of education for democratic citizenship and human rights and to achieve recognition for this as the core obligation for formal and informal education systems throughout Europe.  These goals are to be achieved by shared activities, i.e.

• exchange of information, content, methods and staff;
• common programmes for education and training of staff, board members and volunteers in member organisations;
• common databases and systems;
• public relations and lobbying at the European level;
• common educational projects, standards and promotion of good practice;
• a common resource on funding opportunities (thus minimising the need for duplication of research).

DARE has to be credible according to its proper vision and must find balance between expected outcomes and internal democratic culture.  Growth of confidence between individual members and among the whole of the network is a sign of quality and an important outcome not specifically mentioned in applications and activities.  It is the key for successful and efficient cooperation as

• the working groups of DARE deal with policy, operational and educational issues;
• DARE organises its seminars and conferences on new developments in human rights and education for democratic citizenship, bringing in expertise from member organisations as well as from outside experts;
• DARE serves as a platform for partnership, cooperation and development of our focus;
• DARE exchanges information on the activities of its members and provides information from outside by publishing a regular newsletter, which was first produced in October 2003, and a website, which has been launched this summer.

Other organisations are interested in joining.  Networks and organisations with a similar focus are interested in cooperation.  The European Union Commission recognized the initiative by funding the network and inviting it to be part of a working group on strategies for active citizenship in Europe.  DARE had a promising start.  This encourages us to trust in the substantial contribution of the network to promote EDC and HRE for a vibrant democratic and human rights culture throughout Europe.

Dr. Hannelore Chiout