The objectives of this project will be presented based on the different target groups of this project: - teachers of humanities (history, civic education, social sciences etc.): knowledge development of new instruments of citizen participation; popularising Mini-Publics and Citizens’ Assemblies as participation tool; learning how they can implement this topic in their subject; didactical knowledge of research based teaching; - students: motivation to be involved in decision-making at all levels; ability to discuss the potential and limits of participation instruments such as the citizens' council; improvement of civic skills; development of a questioning attitude; positive attitude towards complex issues; critical thinking and ability to develop arguments about political issues; - participating organisations: knowledge improvement of Mini-Publics; development of knowledge of the Erasmus+ programme for 1st time participants; improvements of project management skills; development of networks and cooperations; - education stakeholders: improve the quality of the educational offer for teachers on the topic of political participation
This project addressed new forms of political participation, and specifically Mini-Publics. Political Participation is one of the goals of Civic Education, and one of its main purposes: building participating citizens. Our project focuses on Civic Education in schools, and it addresses teachers’ professional development and students’ learning about political participation. When participation is taught in its traditional forms, it is going to influence what students will perceive their tasks as citizens to be. Teaching about voting and electoral systems are only a part of political participation. Therefore, new forms of participation should also be included in school curricula, especially if they can appeal to younger generations and nourish their engagement to sustain democracies. For young people, Mini-Publics can be interesting for several respects: the minimum age of participation is 16, and many of them are about climate protection and climate justice. Young students who do not have the formal citizenship of the country in which they live can also participate in Mini-Publics. In MANTA we prepared several resources for teachers and students, so that these topics professional competences of teachers are improved.