Free lecture series on education, citizenship & democracy (Zwolle)

"Young people are not interested in politics." "Today's youngsters no longer vote." We hear such statements regularly. But is that really the case? What is the current state of support for democratic values among young people? And what role does education play in this?

After a successful and well-attended lecture series at ProDemos in The Hague last year (read the reports here), we now want to offer this opportunity to education professionals in the eastern part of the country. Therefore, ProDemos, the University of Amsterdam, and the Province of Overijssel are collaborating to organise a lecture series of three sessions in September and October 2019 in Zwolle.

In this lecture series, speakers from academia, policy, practice, and politics combine their insights. Renowned academics from the fields of political science, sociology, and educational science share their knowledge of the current state of affairs and engage in discussions with people from the field of (educational) practice, politics, and the public.

The lectures

• 23 September: prof. dr. Herman van de Werfhorst 
  Citizen or merchant?
  The education system is expected to fulfill various societal expectations: preparing for the labor market, socialising independent citizens, and promoting social mobility. But is the Dutch education system well-equipped enough to promote these outcomes?
  
• 30 September: prof. dr. Anne Bert Dijkstra
  The state of citizenship education
  How is Dutch citizenship education currently doing? What do studies show? What are effective ways to promote citizenship education?
  
• 7 October: prof. dr. Tom van der Meer
  Democratic values under pressure?
  In the final lecture, Tom van der Meer critically examines whether democratic values are under pressure. What evidence is available for this thesis? And what exactly are the core values necessary for democracy?
  

Practical information

• When: Monday 23 September, 30 September en 7 October, 19:30 – 21:00h (doors open at 19:00h)
• Where: Oude Statenzaal, Diezerstraat 80 in Zwolle
• Admission: free
• Registration: via our online reservation system. Sign up for the entire series or for individual lectures:
  • Entire series
  • 23 September – Herman van de Werfhorst
  • 30 September – Anne Bert Dijkstra
  • 7 October – Tom van der Meer