Aesthetic and embodied learning for democracy

Welcome to the AECED Project Website

Democracy isn’t simply a technical process that involves you learning about its history, principles, rules and institutions. Democracy is a way of governing and a way of relating to each other that is a here-and-now experience.

This understanding sits at the heart of our work and the resources we are developing to support education for democracy in practice through integrating aesthetic and embodied approaches. 

We’ll be introducing the project’s new resources at an online webinar launch on 4th March 2026, 10:30–12:30 CET / 09:30-11:30 UK time (120 minutes). You can read more by visiting our blog page and you can register here. 

About AECED

Discover our mission to enhance education and promote democratic values through research and collaboration.

AECED Video Guide

Wondering what we mean by aesthetic and embodied learning for democracy? Watch this video guide for an explanation.

AECED Resources

Explore our wide range of resources designed to support educators and foster democratic principles in education.

Democracy

Learn about our efforts to advance democracy through educational initiatives and collaborative projects.

Pedagogy

Understand our innovative approaches to pedagogy that encourage critical thinking and active citizenship.

AECED Blog

Stay updated with our latest insights, research findings, and stories from the field on our blog.

Webinar Launch Announcement

Webinar Launch Announcement

Join AECED for a free online launch webinar in March 2026 presenting its new Framework and Guides to Practice for aesthetic and embodied learning for democracy. The 120-minute event will combine insight, experience, and discussion to support educators and organisations working in education for democracy. Sign up to register your interest and receive the booking link when available.

Sensing democracy-as-becoming

Sensing democracy-as-becoming

On 21 November 2025, AECED team members, Karine Oganisjana (Latvia), Kardelen Dilara Cazgir (Germany), Uldis Dumins (Latvia) and Sandra Wallenius-Korkalo (Finland), delivered an interactive workshop, “Sensing Democracy-as-Becoming”, in a parallel session at the Conference on Education for Democracy organised by our sister project Democrat at the University of Barcelona.

On working with the Sisters – Barcelona thoughts

On working with the Sisters – Barcelona thoughts

Democrat sister project held its final consortium meeting in the form of the Democrat conference. Critical Change Lab and AECED were invited and included in the planning phase as Democrat’s sisters. Moreover, on the morning before the actual conference, we held a joint policy roundtable in which various European policy actors discussed the policy ideas formulated by the three sisters.

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