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Project

Democracy Project: Building Citizenship through Schools
 

Peru
Project ID
108087
Total Funding
CAD 224,599.00
IDRC Officer
Antonio Romero
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
16 months

Programs and partnerships

Lead institution(s)

Project leader:
Natalia González
Peru

Summary

This project will study the perceptions and expectations of democracy, citizenship, and citizenship education in six regions of Peru. The results will inform the design of educational materials and teachers' training modules on citizenship education.Read more

This project will study the perceptions and expectations of democracy, citizenship, and citizenship education in six regions of Peru. The results will inform the design of educational materials and teachers' training modules on citizenship education. The road to democracy The recovery of democracy in Peru in 2001 has given rise to a new period of democratic continuity and alternation in power. However, there has not been a substantial improvement in the quality of democracy or a significant impact on the daily lives of Peruvians. The 2016 presidential and congressional elections will take place in an atmosphere characterized by scant confidence in institutions and the political class, frail government institutions, high social unrest, corruption, and significant inequalities. Citizens and the state in Peru Turning this situation around requires a better understanding of Peruvians' relationships with one another and the ties between citizens and their state, including citizens' rights and obligations, and the state's responsibilities. Citizenship education in schools is a powerful tool to build people's ability to demand recognition of their rights and assume their obligations, form positive relationships, and manage conflict in a way that strengthens the identity of a social and political community. Education and training resources The materials and training modules will be used in a pilot intervention in four schools. Participating schools will test a model for citizenship education as part of an effort to promote widespread citizenship education in Peru's public schools. A communications and influence strategy will serve to share the project's findings and foster debate on strengthening democracy and citizenship through school education. Project leadership The Think Tank Initiative-funded (TTI) Instituto de Estudios Peruanos will lead the project. TTI is a multi-funder program dedicated to strengthening independent policy research institutions, or think tanks, in developing countries. The program aims to enhance their ability to provide sound research that informs and influences policy. This second TTI phase (2014-2019) will fund 43 institutions, helping them consolidate their role as credible development actors in their countries, and in some cases, regionally and internationally.