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.
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.
Latest from the AECED Project Blog
Democracy as Becoming: Reflections from the AECED Project
The Republic of Croatia declared independence in 1991, with the aspiration to build a state founded on the rule of law, free elections, and the protection of human rights. Since joining the European Union on July 1, 2013, Croatia has strengthened its democratic foundations and embraced the responsibility of continually developing them.
In 2024, a primary school in Zagreb joined the AECED project, an international initiative exploring how aesthetic and embodied learning can foster democratic education. Ten participants – eight teachers, a school psychologist, and a school pedagogue – took part in a participatory action research (PAR) process involving both in-person and online sessions.
Educating the Self: Students producing Video-Clips on the Pattern Language of Commoning
In our AECED Project, the German Project Team use the Pattern Language of Commoning (PLC) for supporting democracy-learning in higher education settings. In order to dive deeper into such art-based and embodied creative approaches to democracy-as-becoming, the German Project Team invited students to produce video clips relating to some Pattern Language of Commoning (PLC) cards, choosing the cards they felt drawn to engage with.
Rhythms of Democracy – finding our pace to enhance democracy
When running a project that is focused on enhancing democracy, the inevitable questions that haunt us are: Is our project, or its ways of working, democratic? Am I enhancing democracy on a daily or weekly basis through my work? These questions have led me to ponder the rhythms of democracy.
Partner Institutions
