Heritage for Democracy: Educators Leading Cultural Dialogue
Lions Clubs International - Ukraine
Ukraine
Heritage for Democracy empowers educators to explore cultural heritage as a space for dialogue about identity, historical narratives, and democratic values. Through participatory heritage tours, teachers and cultural educators visit historically significant sites, engage with historians and cultural practitioners, and develop educational tools that encourage students to critically engage with history and cultural identity. By connecting culture, education, and civic participation, the project strengthens democratic awareness and builds bridges between cultural institutions, and communities.
For decades, many historical narratives in Ukraine were shaped by imperial and Soviet ideological frameworks. In recent years, cultural institutions, historians, and civil society organizations have worked to reinterpret cultural heritage through democratic and inclusive perspectives. This process became particularly important after 2014, when Russia’s aggression against Ukraine intensified public reflection on identity, historical memory, and democratic values. Educators play a key role in shaping democratic culture among younger generations. However, many educators lack opportunities to explore cultural heritage through participatory and critically reflective learning formats. The Heritage for Democracy project addresses this gap by organizing participatory heritage tours that combine cultural exploration with democratic dialogue.
Objective 1 – Strengthen democratic historical awareness
Objective 2 – Promote dialogue about historical narratives
Objective 3 – Support integration of heritage into civic education
Objective 4 – Encourage community engagement