Each year thousands of university students deepen knowledge and skills that are central to effective democratic citizenship through IFES’ “Democracy: From Theory to Practice” civic education course, taught in 46 partner universities throughout Ukraine. The course is based on IFES’ global civic education methodology, Strengthening Engagement through Education for Democracy (SEED). Through the course of a semester, SEED introduces students to fundamental concepts of democratic citizenship, systems of government, civic participation, and human rights, while deepening soft and hard skills through interactive teaching methodology and civic action projects.

In the backdrop of air sirens, displacement, and unimaginable human suffering, six partner universities with support from IFES have adapted and continue offering civic education to its students, reaching nearly 300 this semester, with more to join in the coming weeks. Educators have added greater emphasis on war time disinformation, digital literacy, and psychological wellbeing this semester. Students and teachers are adamant that education and in particular civic education are key to continued democratic progress and must not stop in the face of war. Indeed, many realize that this is perhaps what authoritarians fear most.

Voices from civic education students and educators:

• “War is just one of the life stages”, says one of the students. “The war will end, but the society is being formed right now. Youth should be taught values constantly and education must continue. Development cannot be paused: It’s either progress or regress”.
• “Despite the war, it is necessary to teach a civic education course to help students develop critical thinking, analytical skills and verification of information, understanding state functions in wartime to protect their citizens,” explains one of the educators. “Many interactive lessons help understand the line between rights of citizens and the role of the state in protecting national security.”
• “If in the first weeks I felt mostly fear, now it is hope that students charge me with,” summarizes one of the educators. “When talking to them, I catch myself thinking that we are obviously going through a difficult stage of forming a politically mature Ukrainian nation with democratic values. And young people should undoubtedly be involved in this process.”