Reinforcing historical awareness and culture through higher education: threats and challenges

The Council of Europe’s Education Department has launched forums on history education to reinforce the role of history in supporting democracy and human rights. The third forum, held at the University of Bologna in May 2024, focused on “Reinforcing historical awareness and culture through higher education: threats and challenges.” Organized with the University of Bologna and partners such as the International Association of Universities, Eurodoc, the European Students’ Union, and the Magna Charta Observatory, the forum explored several key themes. These included integrating popular culture into historical narratives, ensuring public authorities provide frameworks for higher education funding, and recognizing the role of educators in shaping history while upholding academic freedom. The discussions highlighted the importance of a shared historical foundation for citizens and offered a platform for rich, even contradictory debates on history, higher education, and the balance between institutional autonomy and democratic responsibility.