Building democratic societies through education

This article is written by María Fernanda Robayo, Political Scientist and Programme Officer at Club de Madrid. The opinions expressed in this publication belong solely to the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the author's employer/organisation.

• The problem: Democratic backsliding and concern about democracy’s ability to respond effectively to social demands and global challenges.
• Why it matters: Increases in authoritarian regimes and regression in essential progress such as respect for fundamental rights.
• The solution: Make democracy deliver; starting with the provision of education to all, as a fundamental right and global public good, through international cooperation between like-minded regions and states.

The strategic relationship between the European Union (EU), Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is crucial to face current global challenges, such as climate change, digital transformation and social cohesion. The added value of this relationship is based on the shared values of democracy, respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law, and the commitment to rules-based multilateralism. These common principles are the key to strengthening cooperation in revitalising democratic systems, in a context that is becoming increasingly complex, unpredictable and, if possible, more hostile.

Inequality is a destabilising factor for democratic systems.

In this scenario, EU-LAC cooperation in promoting and guaranteeing access to education, as a fundamental right and a global public good, is crucial to building cohesive societies and transforming the lives of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Promoting education will help renew the social contract and strengthen and promote democratic states that guarantee sustainable, innovative and inclusive social development. For this, the EU-LAC relationship must join efforts to close the digital divide and build common agendas in education, science, development and innovation. In turn, both regions should take advantage of this alliance to position themselves in global dialogues and promote the values and interests that unite them.

Inequality is a destabilising factor for democratic systems. Income inequality and inequality of opportunities have been some of the main challenges that both Latin America, the Caribbean, and the EU have had to address in recent years. Before the Covid-19 crisis, some democratic countries were already seeing limitations in their ability to create the necessary conditions that would allow the population to access higher levels of wellbeing, and overcome situations of precariousness and vulnerability. This inability to respond effectively to the demands and needs of citizens was already having a negative impact on the social cohesion of some democratic states, calling into question the social contract between citizens, institutions and rulers and, ultimately, also the values and basic principles of democracy.

In this context, Covid-19 impacted a world that was deeply unequal, magnifying and worsening these inequalities between and within countries, which in turn, intensified mistrust in institutions and political leaders. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report 2021/2022, greater economic inequality attracts and encourages support for dominance-oriented leaders. Inequality also incentivises leaders to pursue their interests above the interests of the groups they lead. Therefore, the confluence of higher uncertainty with higher inequality often seems to favour support for authoritarian leaders, who are less likely to foster intragroup and intergroup cooperation.

Inequalities and perceptions of inequality can also undermine the basic premise of fundamental political equality. It is argued that we are witnessing the division of political life between those at the top, isolated and disconnected by their privileges, and those at the bottom who are discontented and disenfranchised in their representation and voice. These inequalities impact political commitment, which often translates to low political participation among the most disadvantaged. That is why it is more urgent than ever for the democratic systems of the EU and LAC to be strengthened and more efficient in responding to social demands. This should include effective social protection systems, public health services, quality and guarantees of fundamental rights such as education. Without these, the persistence of unmet social inequalities will continue undermining democratic values, fueling crises of trust, representation, growing populism, authoritarianism and polarisation.

The EU, Latin America and the Caribbean are committed to defending human rights, strengthening social cohesion and building peaceful, democratic, inclusive, innovative and egalitarian societies.

EU-LAC relations are uniquely positioned to mobilise the solidarity and political action necessary to renew the social contract in both regions based on their shared values. A good starting point is promoting access to education as a fundamental right and a global public good.

It transforms educational systems into mechanisms for equalising opportunities, which makes it possible to break with other forms of social exclusion, poverty and inequality. Education is an essential element for developing the EU and LAC states, as it transforms lives and contributes to forming cohesive societies.

To this end, the EU and LAC states should act on the following priorities to contribute to the strengthening of educational systems, which, in turn, will generate a greater degree of social cohesion and democratic strengthening:

1. Closing the digital divide: connectivity, access to technological devices and digital literacy. Taking advantage of the commercial and economic ties of both regions will help promote public-private investment and those from multilateral organisations in three essential areas: construction of infrastructure to guarantee connectivity for vulnerable populations and rural and remote areas; guarantee access to digital devices; and cooperation in digital literacy. Closing the digital gap means committing to social cohesion, allowing children, adolescents and young people to have access to adequate educational content tailored to their needs regardless of their social reality or the place they live. This will strengthen the innovation capacities of educational systems, using the potential of digital technologies, so that students participate in learning experiences that allow them to develop in an integral and collaborative way. This will also allow progress in achieving an inclusive, equitable and quality education through the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.

2. Building common agendas in education, science, development and innovation. The EU and its member states should continue promoting agreements between their academic and scientific institutions, and those of the LAC to improve the quality of education in both regions through academic mobility programmes for students, teachers, researchers and scientists. The Ibero-American space will be an essential ally to strengthen the EU-LAC relationship, which can take the example of the Ibero-American Knowledge Space (EIC) as a confluence area for policies, instruments and agents of higher education, science and innovation to work for inclusive economic development and to make possible a productive transformation with equity.

This will not be possible if adequate public policies on education are not developed and articulated with policies in other areas, such as financing for education and the adaptation of educational systems focused on job development. In this last aspect, it is important to strengthen the articulation of the education sector with the world of work and create training and training policies throughout the life-cycle to promote the acquisition of new skills in strategic issues such as ecological and digital transformation, which allow them to develop in the workplace.

Having citizens who have the opportunity to access quality education and develop the appropriate knowledge and skills helps build more cohesive societies committed to shared values such as democracy, respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law. Quality education provides a better position not only to face current challenges but also to be prepared for future crises, and help to build inclusive, innovative and egalitarian societies.

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