������Ƶ

How would you define values? 

Values are principles about what is good and desirable in personal life and society. Values give direction and meaning to our actions, contribute to predictability and a sense of security. A society that values the rule of law will ensure courts fulfil their role; a society that values education will ensure schools are inclusive and safe places. 

Moreover, values also express vulnerability − by revealing them, we disclose what matters to us. This very vulnerability and openness can be and is the starting point for future agreements and coming together around what we, collectively, consider important.

How can we better understand European values?

The project of united Europe is based on sharing same core values, which is remarkable on a continent whose history is marked by conflicts, divisions and often grave crimes. The fact that  still gives the project appeal and relevance.

The  include: respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. They are the source and compass for everything the Union does, decides and plans, and serve as strong guidelines for Member States when shaping their laws and policies. 

Do you think European values are under threat?

Today we can witness visible challenges to these values in the form of different types of extremism, algorithm-driven hate speech, wars and threats of war, corruption and the influence of large corporations on democratic processes, fears about new technologies, and more. 

But values are tested every day, hence responding to their violation is essential not only for safeguarding the institutional order but also for maintaining citizens’ trust. Failure to uphold shared values fosters civic passivity and erodes democratic capacity − potentially with grave consequences for unity on the European continent. That is why values should never be taken for granted, but reaffirmed and lived every day.

What kind of role does education play in instilling shared values? 

Education plays a key role in transferring and nurturing shared values. However, many formal and non-formal initiatives tend to focus on factual knowledge and skills (e.g. digital and media skills) in the context of European citizenship education. 

Even this approach is : students mostly learn about the EU within other subject areas, without a clear and structured curriculumon European topics, and teachers face a lack of time and teaching materials. There is a particularly noticeable gap in basic knowledge about EU institutions.

Both knowledge and skills are important dimensions of competence, but it is values and attitudes that guide them towards responsible action. A student may know how the European Parliament works or be adept at using digital tools, but without values that support a democratic culture and respect for human rights, such knowledge and skills may remain empty − or even be misused. 

Facts and skills can be acquired, but it is far more important that shared values are woven into school culture and everyday practice − so that students not only know what those values are, but live them.

What would you say are good strategies for teaching values?

The best strategy for schools, educational leaders and teachers is to walk the talk − to live what they teach. This means values should be visible: 

• in the decisions of school leadership,
• in key school documents and policies,
• in the curriculum, the choice of teaching materials and methods, and
• in cooperation with the local community and relevant stakeholders.

This means that the school has a meaningful and participatory student involvement in decision-making, that students are empowered and encouraged to act for the wellbeing of local community. 

In the classroom, this means directly linking teaching content with specific values, involving students in decision-making, encouraging dialogue on social issues, exploring champions of values and using activities that foster cooperation, empathy and responsibility. ������Ƶing through European values also means learning about the heritage and history that shaped those values.

In the end, education must not be left alone in this task − it needs strong support from the community. Without it, the messages students hear at school will have a short lifespan with possible negative consequences.

How can values be supported at policy level? 

that younger generations place particular importance on authenticity and clear value frameworks − in their personal lives, choosing an employer or community engagement. This is why it’s important that the European Union continually emphasises and promotes the framework of unity in diversity, put into practice via values. 

European programmes such as Erasmus+ have a major role to play. They should remain well-supported and become more accessible − to as many young people as possible, especially those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, so that they have the opportunity to experience Europe’s diversity and shared values.

All these steps in supporting and living European values (small or huge) support the wellbeing of the entire community, strengthen the foundations of the future and can act as a lighthouse for others. This was summed up by one of the founders of the European project, Alcide De Gasperi:

The future will not be built through force, nor the desire to conquer, but by the patient application of the democratic method, the constructive spirit of agreement, and by respect for freedom.