War conflicts and training in values of democratic citizenship in the classroom. A comparative study between Spain and France

Abstract

The armed conflicts that took place during the 20th century marked a turning point in human history. The World War brought novelties regarding tactics, strategies and military armament, but also gave birth to an unknown power of destruction. Perhaps that is the reason why these conflicts are equally both interesting and fascinating.

This text makes a comparison regarding how the study of armed conflicts is approached in compulsory education classrooms, in two neighboring countries, Spain and France. Collaboration between formal and non-formal education (Museums and Interpretation Centers) as a tool to generate knowledge about armed conflicts is also analyzed. Educational visits to museums, interpretation centers and war vestiges encourage not only reflection and critical thinking, but also curiosity and creativity, and allow the arousing of feelings such as empathy. And aboce all, this kind of formative activities contribute to the formation of fundamental democratic citizenship values, such as respect for human rights and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. A critical, informed and prepared citizenry is the best asset to stop any attempt to reverse the rights and freedoms that govern our democratic societies.

The text is articulated around ideas such as the need to deal and think about the war in the classroom, communication and contact between formal and non-formal education (experiential learning) and public policies for the creation and protection of memory spaces. France is exemplified as a role model if we intend to overcome the scars of the Spanish Civil War, the conflict that has marked our recent past, which is still very present in our lives, even on the political agenda, and which should guide our future, always starting from the refusal to naturalize and accept speeches from the past.