Special lecture
Civic education in Germany and Korea – quo vadis?

Civic education in Germany and Korea – quo vadis?

Democracies can only thrive if citizens are actively participating, as informed voters, as well as sometimes as candidates for election. This requires civic education. Civic education also inspires the trust in public institutions, which is so necessary in particular in turbulent times as these in Germany and Korea. However, there is always the danger that civic education, in particular if done in the public sphere, like in schools, can degrade to indoctrination. The difficult balance of civic education for democracy and undue influence of the government was the topic of a special lecture of Prof. Bernhard Seliger, representative of Hanns-Seidel-Foundation Korea, together with Kim Young-Soo of Hanns-Seidel-Foundation in Jeonseong, Gangwon province, for teachers of Sabuk Middle and High School. While there are examples for indoctrination in dictatorial regimes (as in Germany during National Socialism and in East Germany during Socialism), there is not one ideal system of civic education bringing about the desired result of informed, critical citizens able to have civilized dialogue on political issues. Among the issues interesting for schools Prof Seliger introduced the German tool “Wahl-O-Mat”, as system by which learners can find out more about party platforms and own preferences. Thank you for the invitation to Sabuk Middle and High School!

Hanns-Seidel-Foundation is since 2007 a partner of Gangwon province and occasionally cooperates with Gangwon Education office regarding Bavarian-Gangwon relations and also thematic issues like civic education.