Why We Should Prioritize the ‘Developing Students’ Skills and Competencies in Conflict Resolution‘ Aim of Civic and Citizenship Education

An evolving landscape of democracies, marked by democratic backsliding, coupled with shifting norms of political participation, may have diverse and possibly challenging implications for aims, scope and priorities of citizenship education. We are re-thinking civics in context of climate change, conflict, inequities and polarization. So. What is meaningful to teach? What is meaningful to learn? This paper contributes to the ongoing debate about Civic and Citizenship Education (CCE) learning objectives by advocating for prioritisation of development of conflict transformation competency. We explore five interconnected reasons for focusing CCE and schools’ efforts in this area – namely the potential of the competency to empower citizens’ political participation and aspiration, foster democratic lifelong learning, promote sustainability, contribute to peace, and act as an antidote to polarization.