The Council of Europe (2010) recognizes that the ideal understanding of European citizenship would be based on the values of Democracy, Human Rights and Social Justice. Meaningful learning experiences are needed, through formal and informal education, so that children can become knowledgeable, responsible and active citizens in their communities (Council of Europe, 2010). Schools, families and communities can play a vital role in fostering children’s knowledge, competences, attitudes and values in democratic education.

Democratic education is closely linked with human rights education, as human rights can be considered the base of a democratic society. Education for human rights enables children to know and responsibly uphold their own and other’s rights, to respect and appreciate differences between individuals and the uniqueness of each one, acting in ways that defend equity and promote human rights worldwide (Gollob, Krapf, Ólafsdóttir, & Weidinger, 2010). Although thinking about and acting upon human rights and democracy are part of an ongoing lifelong process, children are already aware of issues of justice from an early age.