COFACE Families Europe – September 2017 newsletter now published

COFACE Families Europe has recently published the September 2017 edition of its newsletter.

Date 2017-10-04 Author COFACE Families Europe Section awareness

In this edition, COFACE reports on its participation in a peer review on the Greek programme "Live Without Bullying". The aim of the review was to look at the implementation of good practice on a practical level, compare it with programmes and challenges in other countries, and assess whether and how it can be transferred to other contexts. The peer review was supported by Digital Parent consulting in the role of independent expert, as well as COFACE policy officers specialising in human rights and inclusive education/digitalisation and cyberbullying.

Also in this edition, COFACE reports on a recent Council of Europe (CoE) working conference on the theme of digital citizenship education. Democracy cannot exist without democratic institutions, but these institutions will not work if citizens don't have a democratic culture, values and attitudes and engage in democratic practices. As children and young people are more and more present on the internet, it is key to foster certain competences and values of democratic culture to ensure they can participate safely, effectively, critically and responsibly online. It is on these premises that the CoE has been working on digital citizenship education. The working conference brought together around 70 experts to support the CoE's work in elaborating a conceptual framework for digital citizenship education, which will be made available to Ministries of Education from the CoE countries. Martin Schmalzried, Senior Policy and Advocacy officer at COFACE Families Europe, is also member of the Council of Europe Expert Group on digital citizenship education. He moderated the workshop dedicated to identifying the future challenges of digital citizenship education, the impact on teachers and how these challenges should be addressed.

Also featured is news on the new Positive Online Content Campaign (POCC). Organised by members of the Insafe network of Safer Internet Centres in Europe and the former POSCON (Positive Online Content and Services for Children in Europe) thematic network, this campaign aims to put positive content and the importance of better online experiences for young children in the spotlight. Martin Schmalzried, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, shared COFACE Families Europe's position during an awareness-raising week which took place 25-29 September 2017. See the article and video here.

Read the full September 2017 edition of the COFACE newsletter here for a whole host of other updates on issues affecting families in Europe.

* COFACE Families Europe has been involved for 59 years in building a strong social, family-friendly Europe. It brings forward the voice of millions of families, gathering 58 organisations from all over Europe. COFACE Families Europe advocates for strong social policies that take into consideration family needs and guarantee equal opportunities for all families. Find out more at www.coface-eu.org.

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