Democracy, Trust and Agency: Reflections from the ESREA Active Democratic Citizenship and Adult Learning Network Conference

Democracy, Trust and Agency: Reflections from the ESREA Active Democratic Citizenship and Adult Learning Network Conference 

In September 2026, the ESREA Active Democratic Citizenship and practitioners (ADCAL Conference gathered researchers, educators, practitioners and at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, under the theme “Learning and Practising Active Democratic Citizenship in the Struggle against Growing Authoritarianism.” The conference explored the role of adult learning and education in fostering democratic citizenship at a time of growing social, political and democratic challenges.  

Representing SALTO Participation & Information, Alina attended the event and joined conversations that resonated strongly with many of the questions currently shaping participation and democratic engagement across Europe. Throughout the conference, discussions returned to common themes: trust, agency, civic literacy, democratic participation, activism and the role of education in strengthening democratic resilience. 

Defending Democracy Through Critical Reflection 

One of the most thought-provoking presentations was Benny Momper’s “Manès Sperber Revisited: The Courage of Doubt”. The presentation reflected on the importance of critical thinking, democratic values and the courage to question dominant narratives. The topic felt especially relevant in a context where civil society space is shrinking in many countries and where concerns about the future of democratic participation, including discussions surrounding the future of Erasmus+, continue to emerge.  

The conference theme itself recognised the growing pressures facing democratic societies, including authoritarian tendencies, increasing inequalities and declining trust in institutions. Participants explored how adult learning can contribute not only to understanding these developments but also to creating pathways for collective action and democratic renewal.  

Trust as the Foundation of Agency 

A recurring discussion throughout the conference centred on the relationship between participation, empowerment and agency. 

Presentations highlighted that democratic participation requires more than opportunities to engage; it also depends on people’s belief that their voice matters and that institutions are worthy of their trust. Discussions around “Youth Active Citizenship in Slovenia: Implications for Adult Civic Education in Contexts of Democratic Erosion and Institutional Distrust” highlighted how trust enables the transition from empowerment to genuine agency. Participants reflected on the growing challenge of young people losing confidence in democratic institutions and what this means for educators, youth workers and policymakers.  

These conversations connected closely with current realities in the youth field, where questions about meaningful participation and democratic engagement remain central. 

Civic Literacy Beyond Skills 

Several sessions challenged traditional conceptions of civic education. 

In “Beyond Competencies: A Framework for Civic Literacy in an Era of Democratic Disillusionment”, presenters argued that civic literacy should extend beyond a simple focus on skills and competencies. Respect for human dignity was highlighted as a fundamental component of democratic processes, particularly within learning environments. The discussion encouraged participants to consider how educational systems can support democratic values, empathy and critical reflection alongside knowledge acquisition.  

Similarly, “Undoing Privilege for Democracy: How Can We Teach Hope and Empathy to Increasingly Disillusioned Young Adults?” explored the realities faced by many young people today. The presentation invited reflection on power, privilege and perceived agency, while highlighting the importance of nurturing hope and empathy in contexts where many young adults feel disconnected from political processes.  

Learning Democracy Through Action 

A particularly inspiring aspect of the conference was the focus on activism, student movements and collective action as forms of democratic learning. 

“The Public Stance of Education Providers in Response to War Crimes and Genocide: A Case Study from Slovenia” examined how students organised collectively to encourage universities to take public positions on political developments in the Middle East, echoing similar actions previously seen in response to the war in Ukraine. The presentation demonstrated how students can become active agents of democratic engagement within educational institutions.  

Questions of participation within higher education were further explored in discussions such as “Regional Universities as Spaces of Democratic Learning?”, which examined how universities can create structures that support student participation while also confronting challenges related to power, representation and ownership of decision-making processes around curriculum and the study program. 

Another memorable session, “In the Vortex of Change: The Transformation of the Teacher’s Role Due to Student Protests”, invited educators to reflect on their evolving role during times of crisis. Rather than viewing students solely as learners, the presentation highlighted how student movements themselves become powerful educational actors, teaching broader communities about civic engagement, democratic participation and collective action, and enacting a social change 

Confronting Polarisation and Authoritarianism 

The conference did not shy away from difficult conversations. 

The presentation “Follow-Up: Emerging Questions and Further Research in the Project Firewalls in Education” addressed the rise of fascism and far-right ideologies within the German context of political adult education. The discussion highlighted ongoing concerns about democratic backsliding and explored how educational institutions can respond to these developments. 

Across many sessions, participants reflected on how democratic education must engage with contemporary social realities rather than treating democracy as an abstract concept. Learning democracy increasingly means learning how to navigate uncertainty, division and competing narratives while maintaining dialogue and respect for fundamental rights. 

Sustainability, Participation and Collective Action 

Another important theme was the connection between sustainability and democratic engagement. 

The presentation “Active Citizenship in Youth Organisations through Education for Sustainable Development” highlighted how sustainability issues can serve as an entry point for political agency and collective action. The discussion emphasised the importance of critical and post-critical approaches to sustainability education, recognising that environmental challenges are deeply connected to questions of participation, power and social change.  

For organisations working with young people, this offered valuable insights into how environmental engagement and democratic participation can reinforce one another. 

Evidence from Erasmus+ 

The conference also provided opportunities to engage with current research examining the impact of European programmes. 

The presentation “Evaluating the Impact of the Erasmus+ Programme on Adult Education in Slovenia: Evidence of Civic Engagement and Democratic Participation” showcased research analysing Slovenian projects as part of a wider study conducted within the RIA network. The findings contributed evidence to ongoing discussions about how international mobility, cooperation and learning programmes can support civic engagement and democratic participation.  

A Space for Reflection and Hope 

While many discussions focused on the challenges facing democracy today, the overall atmosphere of the conference was far from pessimistic. 

Across presentations and conversations, participants shared examples of communities, institutions, educators and learners actively creating spaces for dialogue, participation and collective action. The conference reaffirmed that democracy is not simply a political system but an ongoing practice that must be learned, experienced and renewed through participation. 

For SALTO Participation & Information, the conference offered valuable perspectives on many themes central to our work: participation, active citizenship, democratic engagement, information literacy, trust and agency. It also offered the possibility to connect with academic research from the youth field, VET. Higher education and adult education – which once again underlined that democratic participation is a cross-sectoral and transversal theme, central to the education process in both formal and non-formal education settings. Higher education 

At a time when democratic institutions and values face increasing pressure, events such as the ESREA Active Democratic Citizenship and Adult Learning Network Conference provide an important space for reflection, learning and collaboration, helping us collectively imagine and build more democratic, inclusive and participatory futures.  

You can find the book abstracts here: PDF poglej datoteko Learning and Practicing Active Democratic Citizenship-FINAL.pdf