FOREIGN EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING PARLIAMENTARY EDUCATION: INTERACTION OF PARLIAMENTS WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Abstract

The article presents the results of an analytical review of the foreign experience of parliaments’ interaction with children, youth, and educators in implementing parliamentary education. The purpose of the study is to analyze the practical experience of parliaments of different countries in interacting with children and youth, aimed at raising awareness of parliamentary activities and democratic political processes. It has been found that among the educational activities for children and youth, the following are effective forms of implementing parliamentary education: youth parliaments, excursions to parliamentary buildings, stimulating games, educational visits to parliament by pupils and students, meetings with politicians and experts, online lessons, digital tools, exhibitions, competitions, festivals, quizzes, as well as training courses and internships for students. It is noted that among the activities for teachers, the main forms of interaction on the part of parliaments are the following: professional development for teachers in teaching parliamentary education through webinars and distance courses, training of future teachers, providing access to ready-made class notes, creating a network of teachers in parliamentary education, and granting the status of teacher-ambassador for parliamentary education. It is noted that educational and information resources on parliamentary education are posted in electronic form and are publicly available on the websites of parliaments, online portals for children and youth created by educational centers or parliamentary services, and websites of youth parliaments. They contain information about the activities of the country’s parliament adapted for each age target audience, and offer both online interactive resources, video, audio, and versions of printed materials. Based on foreign experience, the article provides recommendations for the Educational Center of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the use of effective formats of interaction with children and youth in parliamentary education in the following categories: educational activities for children and youth, activities for teachers, and educational and information resources.