The major challenges our society is facing can be overcome not only by making people aware of the context of the European Union and its social, cultural and historical heritage, but also by enabling them to develop a personal and emotional relationship with the people and the European values.

The freedom that democracy has brought us is also confronting us with new challenges. It seems that we European citizens first have to grow into the outer shape and learn new skills that are fundamental for democratic behaviour, such as taking responsibility for oneself and others, having empathic access to oneself and others, being able to think critically and actively participate in society.

In the European Heart project, materials are being developed for schools with which 13 – 16-year-old pupils can acquire and train democratic skills.

Using an emotional-empathic approach, which assumes that all persons have the same basic needs, pupils learn to develop an empathetic relationship to themselves and others, while acquiring a critical distance from emotionalising rhetoric. The values and achievements of our democracy are perceived in a new light and understood not only with the head but also with the heart. Civil society engagement and participation arise from enthusiasm for shared values, the importance of which becomes a personal concern.