European Active Citizenship

European Active Citizenship encourages learners to understand their rights, responsibilities, and roles within the European Union. This theme explores how individuals and communities can participate in democratic life through voting, civic engagement, dialogue, and advocacy. It empowers students to think about what it means to be an active European citizen and how they can contribute to shaping a fairer, more inclusive, and democratic Europe. The goal is to build confidence, critical awareness, and a sense of agency among young people.

Unit 1

Democracy: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters

This unit introduces students to the principles and practice of democracy within the context of European Union citizenship. The unit is anchored in the six core values of the EU and explores how these values underpin democratic governance at both national and EU levels.

The unit also prompts students to consider how democratic values are experienced in their everyday environments, particularly in the classroom, encouraging them to reflect on the connections between personal, local, and European civic life.

Unit 2

A Sustainable Europe

This unit introduces students to the structure and function of the European Union and how its key institutions work together to uphold democratic governance. It provides a clear foundation for understanding the EU’s complex decision-making processes by exploring the roles of the European Commission, European Parliament, Council of the EU, European Council, and other key bodies.

The unit supports the development of informed and active citizenship, helping students see their role not just as observers, but as future participants in democratic processes at local, national, and European levels.

Unit 3

Understanding Consensus within the EU

This unit uses a case study based on the European Union chocolate legislation debate to introduce students to the structures, functions, and challenges of EU governance. By framing learning through an engaging and relatable controversy, the unit invites students to explore how democratic processes operate at the European level and how consensus is built among diverse member states.

Design Roadmap

The JMTEP-UCD Design Roadmap is a guide for creating high-quality teaching and learning packages (TLPs) about the European Union. It helps teachers and student teachers plan engaging, meaningful lessons that promote democratic values and active citizenship. The roadmap supports the development of resources focused on three main themes: Green Europe, European Active Citizenship, and European Heritage. Its purpose is to help educators design materials that not only inform but also inspire students to think critically and participate actively in democratic life.

The roadmap includes six key steps: setting clear goals, aligning with key competences (like values, attitudes, skills, and critical thinking), building networks and sharing expertise, designing hands-on and real-world learning activities, creating thoughtful assessments, and finally, publishing materials on the JMTEP-UCD platform. The approach encourages creative collaboration, inquiry-based learning, and open sharing of resources.

The JMTEP-UCD project is about creating interesting, accessible, high-quality EU learning experiences to enrich the European dimensions of teacher education in Ireland and beyond.

Disclaimer

This website reflects only the views of the authoring team. It does not represent the view of the European Commission, or its agencies, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Call: ERASMUS-JMO-2021-OFET-TT

Project: 101048011