CROATIA, NATIONAL
Debate model of civic education
- Hub
- Activity
- Model
- Citizens’ Councils
- Actors
- Citizenship and communities
- Youth
- Childrens
- Urban communities
- Purpose
- Strengthening democracy
- Democratic education
- Citizen empowerment and capacity building
- Delibertive Skills
The civic debate model promoted by the Croatian Debate Society (CDS) is a national-level initiative that responds to the lack of youth awareness regarding active citizenship, political agency, and democratic culture. Through a network of debate clubs, the practice aims to empower young people to express their ideas, argue with reasoning, think critically, and actively engage in public life.
CDS has created safe spaces for dialogue by combining educational processes with public deliberation forums that include participation from decision-makers. Over the course of an academic year, students develop political and deliberative skills, culminating in a public event where they identify local issues and propose solutions in dialogue with authorities. In doing so, they not only acquire tools, but also engage in real political participation—from the classroom to the broader community.
- Civic skill-building through structured school debate
- Long-term pedagogical processes with adaptable methodologies.
- Active youth participation in both community and national topics
- Public deliberation sessions with clear rules, moderation, and proposal-building.
- Institutional engagement with limited margins for direct influence.
- CDS has significantly expanded the network of debate clubs nationwide, consolidating an active community of young people committed to democratic values. Many former participants have gone on to lead social and political projects. However, the initiative still faces challenges in reaching youth outside formal education or those who distrust institutions.
Hrvatsko debatno društv (Croatian Debate Society)
KEY CONCEPTS
Contextual: Youth political disengagement, underrepresentation of minorities, lack of participatory spaces.
On Democracy: Informed participation, deliberative skills, local political action.
