History education needs to be approached using innovative methods based on multiperspectivity, dialogue, and critical reasoning. Innovative ways of teaching history rooted in the principle of multiperspectivity can bring together stories and communities and empower us to examine our shared past. The need for innovation in history teaching reaches beyond academia and connects directly with teachers and students.
from the HISTOLAB 2024 European Innovation Days in History Education program
HISTOLAB 2024 European Innovation Days in History Education
Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 3-5 April 2024
With a significant turnout of nearly 150 participants in Strasbourg and an impressive online registration of almost 300, the HISTOLAB’s 2024 European Innovation Days in History Education stands as the most important European event that focuses on the evolution of history education and shining a light on innovative initiatives in research, academia, and teaching practices.
Thematic areas
This year, the thematic areas were the underrepresented histories of marginalized communities, teaching methods incorporating museums and places of remembrance, and how to better use local history for schoolwork.
Terraforming on the European Innovation Days in History Education – the Backpack of Memory
We are honored that Misko Stanisic, director of Terraforming, have been invited to deliver a presentation titled “The Backpack of Memory.” This was the first presentation on the program on Day 1, immediately following the opening remarks and the introductory panel: “Amplifying marginalized voices in history education.” The presentation focused on Terraforming’s original methodology “Ester” – a unique approach that creates and utilizes educational materials based on multilayered storytelling, combining illustrations and a dramatized narrative with testimonies, historical and contemporary records, and multimedia resources. Among other points, Misko discussed teaching methods supported by teaching materials adjusted for a young audience, addressing the need to teach difficult histories from the often underrepresented perspectives of children.
Three days of exchanging, learning, and networking
The HISTOLAB 2024 European Innovation Days in History Education brought together a diverse group of leading experts and practitioners from 46 Council of Europe member states and beyond. The participants, representing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, had the opportunity to engage in workshops, panel discussions, and presentations of some of the most groundbreaking and innovative history-teaching projects. This event provided a unique platform for global collaboration and learning, offering an overview of the state of contemporary history teaching and its future.
The Observatory on History Teaching in Europe
The Observatory on History Teaching in Europe is an Enlarged Partial Agreement of the Council of Europe, whose mission is to promote quality education in order to enhance the understanding of democratic culture. The Observatory provides a clear picture of the state of history teaching in its member states, based on reliable data and facts on how history is taught, through general and thematic reports.
What is HISTOLAB?
During the 1st Annual Conference of the Observatory on History Teaching in Europe in December 2021, the European Commission announced its eagerness to support the creation of a joint project to reinforce The Observatory’s cooperation activities and to broaden its scope to all 46 Council of Europe member states.
The Observatory on History Teaching in Europe and HISTOLAB are complementary and connected projects covering an extensive set of priorities centered on quality history education and its importance for future generations. HISTOLAB covers the 46 member states of the Council of Europe.
The Observatory establishes how history is currently being taught in its member states to provide factual information for the exchange of knowledge and good practices. HISTOLAB focuses on the potential for evolution in history education, and shines a light on innovative initiatives in teaching practices, research, and academia.
On this basis, the Joint Project “Transnational History Education and Co-operation Laboratory – HISTOLAB” was created between the European Commission and the Council of Europe. It was formally launched on 1 May 2022.
HISTOLAB seeks to reinvigorate the field of history education by bringing together innovative ideas on how to improve the teaching of history. From research, to teacher training initiatives, to advances in technology, the means for creativity and creation are abundant, and there is no reason why the teaching of history cannot evolve at the same rate as other school subjects, such as science or mathematics.
Terraforming has been a member of HISTOLAB since its establishment. You can also apply for membership here.
The HISTOLAB Award for Innovative School Projects
The HISTOLAB Award for Innovative School Projects in History Education was presented to eight schools from France, Ireland, Serbia, Spain, and Türkiye.
Among the winners of the HISTOLAB award for innovative school projects in history education were the students of XIV Belgrade Gymnasium :)