[hr-education] Re: Relation between HRE and citizenship education

In response to Ed O'Brien's ideas on 'democracy education'.

I believe that educators have the responsibility to remain neutral.  To
suggest that educators should set out to 'teach democracy' is
controversial.  Personally I am a strong advocate for democracy, but to
engage in 'democracy education' is the antithesis of the true sense of
democracy.

I believe the approach that should be taken by educators is that of
allowing students to develop independent thinking skills to be able to
make informed decisions by themselves.  Democracy and human rights are
about freedom of conscience rather than dogmatic authoritarianism.
Students should have the right to make up their own minds about issues
such as governance, rights and responsibilities.

Adrian Witherow
Citizenship Educator
Belfast
Northern Ireland




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