"Democracy is under pressure worldwide. Polarization, misinformation, and growing mistrust of political institutions are increasingly shaping public debates," emphasizes Professor Marianne Friese, chairperson of the Society for Work, Technology, and Economics in Education (Gesellschaft für Arbeit, Technik und Wirtschaft im Unterricht – GATWU). "If democratic societies are to remain stable, it is not enough to talk about democracy." Young people need to learn how participation, responsibility, and co-determination work in everyday life. Schools play a central role in this process.
According to Anslinger, democratic skills are developed beyond politics classes. Students also develop these skills when they think about work, economics, consumption, or social responsibility and make decisions together. Real-life learning environments can make democratic processes tangible.
One subject that provides such opportunities is work studies. In Bremen, this subject is called economics/work/technology, in short WAT. WAT combines technical, economic, domestic, and social education with topics such as consumer education and career orientation. Anslinger explains: "In these areas, democracy is not only discussed theoretically, but also experienced in practice," for example, through cooperation, co-determination, and the discussion of social issues. In projects on sustainable design or material selection, young people directly practice democratic skills such as negotiation and responsibility. Friese says that, against the backdrop of social change, digital living environments, and the pursuit of greater social justice, democracy education must be further developed in order to actively shape these processes.
The annual conference of the “Society for Work, Technology, and Economics in Education” will focus on the role that work studies can play in this. The conference will take place on March 18 and 19, 2026, at the University of Bremen’s Center of Labor and Politics (zap). Researchers, teachers, and education experts will discuss current challenges in democracy education and new approaches to teaching.
The program includes lectures and workshops on topics such as political education in times of populism, financial education as a means of achieving social justice, and student participation in school decision-making processes. The goal is to identify ways to strengthen democratic skills in everyday school life.
Further Information
www.uni-bremen.de/zap (only available in German)
gatwu.de/gatwu-jahrestagung-bremen-2026/ (only available in German)
Contact
Dr. Eva Anslinger
Deputy Director
Center of Labor and Politics (zap)
University of Bremen
Phone: +49 (0)421 218-56712
Email: eva.anslinger@uni-bremen.de
