Democracy and diversity in education : International conference : Buskerud University College, Norway 12-13 March 2013

Abstract

This paper reports on the 2013 Democracy and Diversity international conference at Buskerud University College. It considers how democracy and diversity, and specifically the relationship between these concepts, are understood in society and in school. Scholarly debates are framed by international policy, specifically the 2010 Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education and the UN World Programme on Human Rights Education. The conference considered how education policy and practice might address demographic and social change in Norway and risks to democratic values across Europe, including racism/intolerance; growing support for xenophobic and populist parties; discrimination; extremism; and tensions between religious freedom and freedom of expression. The report includes a summary of keynote presentations (James Banks /Audrey Osler) and issues arising from conference papers and workshops. The rapporteur concludes by exploring links between the political and the interpersonal when educating for democracy in multicultural nation-states.