Engaging parents in policy making and governance

The presentation will focus on the research results on student and parent participation – as a form of education for democracy in practice – in education governance structures to support lasting changes that was done in the framework of a Horizon project, BioBio. The overall aim of Biobeo is to develop and deploy an education programme to enhance understanding and engagement across society regarding lifestyle, circularity and bioeconomy. A sustainable network of interconnected European educators and stakeholders committed to promoting the bioeconomy concept through all channels are working on co-creating and co-delivering the education programme. BioBeo provides the means for better coordination between bio-science and education in schools by developing the Circular Economy Science-Society message. It has a particular focus on circular lifestyle, circular behaviours, and a governance framework on society-wide engagement in bioeconomy policy. BioBeo takes steps to address social issues such as gender bias, disadvantaged youth groups, migrants and members of society with additional needs. For the project to have a lasting impact, there is a need to change governance approaches and to fully engage the students, their parents and families in the implementation. Project partners have developed a training manual on the theory and practice of community and parental engagement.