ACC - Demos Community College

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Demos Community College

European Youth, Demos and the Role of Community Colleges -An Open Space Learning Community in Greece

Demos Community College Journal (1651 KB)

Demos infopack final (109 KB)

Demos flow (41 KB)

Invitation Demos Community College (82 KB)

“Demos” is defined as a group of people gathered around a purpose; conscious, active citizens, members of the city, “politeia” in ancient Greece. By taking our point of departure around the theme of “Demos” we feel perfectly aligned with the ACC’s mission to promote the creation of a European Public Sphere by the help of the residential school format - European Community Colleges.

Even if neither Plan D of EU-Commissioner Wallström, nor the so-called “period of reflection” was foreseen, when this project was drafted, we do hope it will be seen in the context.

Where and when....

The Demos Community College took place from October 9th to 18th 2005.

Results of the Demos Community College are followed-up by the Active Citizenship Community College.

A note on methodology

The “operating system” of Demos that was the container and vehicle for deep conversations and good actions was Open Space Technology. The purpose of using Open Space Technology was to create the conditions for people to engage deeply and creatively around issues of concern to them. The agenda was set by people with the power and desire to see it through with "Passion and Responsibility". Open Space meetings result in transformative experiences for the individuals and groups involved.

“A vision is a strategy in action.
This separates it from a Utopia.
A vision has courage, strength
and the readiness
to make it real”

The purpose

What does Europe mean for young Europeans today?

How do we see our common future?
How do we approach identity, unity and diversity in our everyday lives? How can active European citizenship be practiced following the ancient Greek notion of “demos”? How can we contribute to co-creating a vibrant learning community to explore possibilities and issues related to a European public sphere?

This initiative brought together young people from all over Europe, to live and learn together combining the European Community Colleges format with Open Space Technology.

Both Open Space (OS) and European Community Colleges are based on principles of community learning, building knowledge on experience empowering shared learning, calling upon what really matters right here, right now.

The Demos Community College offered space and time for young Europeans to explore the above key-question, offer their interests, skills and talents to each other, have a glance at the future, share their hopes and fears, explore the methodology itself and see its future usage in their own contexts… Having Active Citizenship, a European Demos both as the anchor and the common dream, Open Space Learning Community invited young Europeans to turn attention into value, planning into vision, movement into learning, management into leadership.

Publication

Citizenship in Action 2005-2006.
A European Demos. ACCENT April 2006 No.4.

By the ACC International Programme Office

ISSN 1603-5135

Report of the Citizenship in Action-project (Demos Community College 2005 & Active Citizenship Community College 2006) supporting the broad aim of re-connecting European citizens with European Institutions.

"“Demos” is defined as a group of people gathered around a purpose; conscious, active citizens, members of the city, “politeia” in ancient Greece. By taking our point of departure around the theme of “Demos” we feel perfectly aligned with the ACC’s mission to promote the creation of a European Public Sphere."(Maria Bakari, Demos Community College organiser)

Table of Contents of the ACCENT no.4

ACCENT No.4 - A European Demos (6750 KB)

Partners and sponsors

International Acacemy for Education and Democracy

- at the edge of nature

ACC Hellenic Committee

The ACC Hellenic Committee consists of Nancy Lagouretou, Andreas Chatzipantelis, Dimitra Chrysikopoulou, John Petersen (board) and the initiator and leader Maria Bakari. This committee is responsible for the Demos Community College.

Contact ACC Hellenic Committee