Introduction and Description

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In an era marked by rapid social change, polarisation and evolving democratic challenges, adult education plays a vital role in cultivating citizens who can think critically, participate constructively and contribute responsibly to their communities. This course offers educators, trainers and school staff a rich opportunity to explore how democratic values can be intentionally woven into the design of adult learning environments. Drawing on influential traditions in adult education and grounded in contemporary research, the course positions democratic pedagogy not merely as a teaching technique but as an ethical and societal imperative for today’s educational organisations.

 

Participants engage deeply with the theoretical foundations of democratic adult education, exploring how humanistic, transformative and critical pedagogies shape adult learning. A central focus is the work of Stephen Brookfield, whose conception of critical thinking, reflective scepticism and the interrogation of assumptions provides a powerful framework for examining the complex dynamics of power, voice and participation in adult classrooms. By studying these ideas, educators learn how to design learning processes that invite dialogue, promote autonomy, challenge inequalities and support the development of critically reflective adult learners.

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The course emphasises the practical, institutional and civic relevance of democratic education. Teachers and staff members discover how democratic pedagogies enhance learner engagement, strengthen organisational cultures, and support wider European goals for inclusive, participatory lifelong learning. Through experiential workshops, collaborative learning, structured reflection and guided design activities, participants develop concrete strategies for fostering inclusive discussions, facilitating deliberative group processes, engaging with diverse perspectives and building learning communities where all voices are recognised.

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Both the 5-day and 10-day programme versions allow participants to combine rigorous theoretical exploration with hands-on practice tailored to their own professional contexts. The extended 10-day version provides deeper engagement with critical theory, more sustained project development and opportunities to integrate digital collaboration tools supporting democratic participation (such as eTwinning and the European School Education Platform). The 5-day version offers an intensive, focused introduction suitable for educators seeking a strong conceptual foundation and practical, ready-to-use strategies.

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By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge, confidence and pedagogical tools to cultivate democratic and critically reflective learning environments—an essential competency for educational organisations committed to empowering adult learners and strengthening democratic culture across Europe. This course is ideal for Erasmus+ KA1 projects that aim to enhance teaching quality, promote inclusive and participatory learning, and contribute to institutional development in line with European lifelong learning priorities.