The training of academic staff for the moral and democratic Education of students was the topic of the inaugural lecture of the congress 'Education of character in Latin America: challenges and opportunities', organized by the University of Navarra at partnership with the Universidad Austral (Argentina) and with funding from the Templeton World Charity Foundation. It was given by Marisa Meza, professor of the School of Education of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

In her speech, the specialist advocated for the Education of students in "the basic values of freedom and equality and civic maturity that allow them to participate in life in common". She emphasized that "the democratic Education goes hand in hand with the moral Education ".

Professor Meza insisted that these issues are especially relevant in Latin America, where she indicated that social stability is a recurring topic .

He presented an international study on civic and citizenship Education of the association International for Achievement assessment educational , which has analyzed the extent to which education systems prepare young people to assume citizenship with a moral orientation, an emphasis on human rights, a focus on social justice and active participation. It was conducted with random samples and involved 25,000 students from 900 schools.

Expanding the circle of moral duties

The research has revealed that young people restrict their moral duties to their closest environment - family, friends... - and consider it acceptable to break the rules if it is to their benefit. Prof. Meza claimed the need to "provide them with experiences that allow them to widen this circle of duties towards others. It is necessary to encourage the bonds of partnership, care and financial aid with the environment, the neighborhood, the community, the country...".

The expert from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile insisted on the great benefits for society provided by a greater civic knowledge : "It is related to less justification of authoritarian regimes, less acceptance of authoritarian government practices, less acceptance of corrupt practices, greater trust in schools, less acceptance of violence, greater empathy Degree and greater acceptance of diversity".

In conclusion, Professor Meza emphasized the need to "promote strategies, practices, experiences and knowledge of revaluation of democratic values in future teachers both for themselves and for them in their work professor". She recalled that the school is an ideal environment to do so: "Trust in the school institution allows actions from a privileged place".

Marisa Meza made these statements at the framework of an international congress on Education of character in Latin America that brings together researchers, professors and education policy makers. It takes place on June 13-14, 2018 at the IAE Business School of the Austral University, in Pilar (Argentina).

The event is promoted by'Researching and promote the Education of character in secondary schools in Latin America', a project of research joint School of Education and Psychology and the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS). It is funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation.