On 20–21 May 2026, the European Network of Education Councils (EUNEC), together with the Lithuanian Education Council and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania, hostedan international seminar in Kaunas and Vilnius dedicated to the role of education in democratic resilience.
Across Europe, education systems are facing growing societal challenges: disinformation, social fragmentation, political polarisation, declining civic participation and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence. In this context, schools, universities and adult education institutions are increasingly expected not only to provide knowledge and skills, but also to strengthen democratic values, critical thinking, participation and social cohesion.
This seminar examined how education policy and practice can contribute to resilient democracies and active citizenship. Discussions focused on questions such as:
How can education systems respond to disinformation and misinformation?
What does critical thinking mean in the age of AI?
How can schools and universities foster democratic participation and trust?
Which policy measures are needed to strengthen civic and citizenship education?
How can teachers and education institutions support learners in navigating increasingly complex information environments?
The programme brought together keynote speakers, policymakers and education experts from across Europe and beyond to discuss democratic resilience from multiple perspectives, including digital literacy, AI, inclusive education, citizenship education and governance. Sessions will address both strategic policy questions and concrete educational practices.
The seminar took place in Kaunas and Vilnius, Lithuania also included opportunities for networking and exchange among members of education councils and partner organisations across Europe.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 All presentations from 20 May | 9.79 MB |
| All presentations from 21 May | 3.61 MB |