European Association of History Educators
The European Association of History Educators (EUROCLIO) was established in 1992 with the support of the Council of Europe. In 2006 it had 60 member associations from 46 countries, mostly European. Since 2006, the President has been Súsanna Margrét Gestsdóttir from Iceland.
Its goal is the improvement of European history education, in cooperation with organisations in Europe and beyond. EUROCLIO cooperates with UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the European Union, the OSCE, national governments and educational organisations.
The EUROCLIO Bulletin is issued twice a year. The EUROCLIO Newsletter is issued six times a year and contains information on history education
About EUROCLIO
The European Association of History Educators (EUROCLIO) was established in 1992 with the support of the Council of Europe. EUROCLIO is an International NGO that actively functions as a European wide facilitator for innovation and progress in History Education. The organisation contributes not only to the development, but also on the actual implementation of regional, national and European long-term projects, which focus on establishing knowledge, experience and expertise in the countries by training and consulting teachers. EUROCLIO develops teaching materials, builds and maintains professional Networks and acts as advisor to governments, international organisations, NGO’s, History Teacher Associations and other Organisations. EUROCLIO is supported by the Jean Monnet Programme as part of the European Union Life Long Learning Programme and has, for many years, Official Participatory Status (external link) and is part of the EU Stake Holder’s Network in Education and Training.
Why is a balanced history education important?
History is the core subject for Civic Education and traditionally a significant part of the school curriculum in Europe: it is considered to be the vehicle for subject and transferable skills, knowledge and understanding, but it can be misused as a tool for nation states to create patriotism and a strong national identity. EUROCLIO believes that uncritical narratives, invented and exaggerated ‘heroic’ stories of struggle and suffering, myths and stereotypes can be problematic and can threaten tolerance, democracy and the truth of multiperspectivity (external link).
Education policies and regulations are commonly decided by national governments. In history this results in a focus that is very nationally oriented. Research by EUROCLIO confirms that the national dimension in history education is overrepresented whereas the regional, European and international dimensions are underrepresented. The disadvantage of a dominantly national approach is a distortion in historical events. Many historical events only make sense when they are seen in a larger context. ‘The emergence of nation states’ ‘emancipation of women’, ‘arts’, ‘economic depressions’, ‘famines’ and ‘the Industrial Revolution’ are just some topics that need an international dimension .
Also, citizenship is an inalienable component of history education. The past offers a wealth of opportunities to study the variety of components in citizenship and aims to foster a commitment to democratic societies and an awareness of shared fundamental values.
Skills and competencies such as the development of critical thinking, gathering and processing information, cooperative learning and communication skills serve as lifelong skills, and build well informed citizens with transferable skills. Grasping the meaning of concepts such as interpretation, democracy, tolerance and identity will equip students to transfer such meanings and become fully-fledged members of their society, able to participate in the wider sphere.