During our General Assembly in July2021 a new managing board was elected. Learn more about the members of the board:
Agnese Koligina Balode, Treasurer
Why are you involved in DARE?
I truly believe that democracy and human rights education is the key approach to raise the human rights culture and improve the human rights situation in Europe and globally.
What do you wish for the future of Democracy and Human Rights Education?
I wish that every adult and child in every corner of the world would have access to qualitative and suitable information about democracy and human rights.
What book or movie did you read/watch lately, and should we read/watch that too?
One of the books I recently read that could be useful making though these challenging times is Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor E. Franckl.
Evgeniya Khoroltseva, Sectretary
Why are you involved in DARE?
Engagement in the dare network has brought new encounters and good partnerships with people and organizations in Europe. I especially appreciate the possibility to exchange teaching methods and experiences in the field of human rights education.
What do you wish for the future of Democracy and Human Rights Education?
Human rights are old as values, but quite young as international judicial norms. For a long time, they have been part of law education only. At the same time, human rights are an integral part of the everyday life of people, so that to have knowledge and be able to “use” them is crucial for every individual to have a decent and just life.
What book or movie did you read/watch lately, and should we read/watch that too?
Book: Alexandra Kollontai: A biography (revised edition) by Cathy Porter. Having been female ambassador to the Scandinavian countries from the Soviet Russia, Kollontai had big courage to speak out on women’s emancipation in terms of economic, personal, and sexual liberty.
Film: Dr Strangelove by Stanley Kubrick is timeless in my mind. It makes you laugh as it reveals the insanity of imperial political ambitions so good.
Georg Pirker, President
Why are you involved in DARE?
With our organisation AdB we are a founding member of the DARE network and it has been for a long time a very important field of our activities for linking our EDC/HRE work to the different European discourses, exchange with in the network members on experiences and practices and generate new practices through cooperation.
Until today the European EDC/HRE policy discourses lack from concrete field evidence, experiences, feedback and input of practice and practitioners from LLL grassroots, which is a focal area where DARE network is one of the very rare expert organisations in the LLL and youth work context. DARE is not a QUANGO, nor a think tank or playground of big donors that find citizenship interesting to fund, but is a recognised charitable and democratically governed NGO, held accountable by its membership and serves as platform and real network where experienced and capable experts and organisations who are deeply into EDC/HRE and learning practices, work together with high commitment.
What do you wish for the future of Democracy and Human Rights Education?
A vivid and growing membership specifically from countries where DARE is currently not so present, or has been present but is not anymore (because structures have been destroyed or it became difficult for the partners to work) making vitally use of the opportunities we create together with our members and the EDC/HRE community have via DARE network – and wish that slowly we come into a position to establish an own paid secretariat.
What book or movie did you read/watch lately and should we read/watch that too?
Book: Dave Eggers: “What is the What?”, definitely worth reading.
Inês Carvalho
Why are you involved in DARE?
Because in Dare I fell I am challenged and in a constant mutual learning process and because I have the privilege of being surrounded by people and collectives that inspire me and from whom I learn so much.
What do you wish for the future of Democracy and Human Rights Education?
May it help us to unite forces and energies in our struggles, to join collectives in common work and reflection and to take small steps towards some changes we want to achieve: education for all, raise awareness, equal access to opportunities.
What book or movie did you read/watch lately and should we read/watch that too?
I have been involved in several collective processes where theatre can support the changes we want to achieve and therefore I recommend reading Augusto Boal’s book on Legislative Theatre where I have been immersing myself lately.
Moritz Borchardt
Why are you involved in DARE?
Because in DARE I feel constantly challenged to develop myself further professionally, because of the quality of its members, and because of how welcoming the community has been from the start.
What do you wish for the future of Democracy and Human Rights Education?
To save the world – or in the very least help us educate, raise awareness, and work towards a more positive future for all. Simple things.
What book or movie did you read/watch lately, and should we read/watch that too?
I have recently started to re-watch Star Trek Deep Space 9, which is the best discussion/elaboration on how a utopian society and its ideals can work under less than ideal circumstances (think: post conflict societies, religious extremism, capitalism) – all while still being genuinely good entertainment.
Patrik Kessler (from June 2023)
Why are you involved in DARE?
I got into the DARE network through the association Demokrative where we focus on civic education to foster attitudes, knowledge and skills to actively participate in the democratic system. And I know, that together with other linkminded people in DARE we are able to achieve even more and have a greater impact.
What do you wish for the future of Democracy and Human Rights Education?
My vision is that every human on earth has the means and opportunities to learn how to engage actively in society and make their voices heard and get their human rights recognized and respected.
What book or movie did you read/watch lately, and should we read/watch that too?
Ancient Greece not only came up with the idea of democracy but also interesting philosophical schools like Stoicism and reading Ryan Holiday’s books, f.e. Courage is Calling or Stillnes is the Key, showed me how we can learn even more from ancient knowledge on how to live a good life.
Rebecca Welge (until March 2023)
Rebecca Welge (Demokrative) left the Board in March 2023 and was replaced by Patrik Kessler (coopted by the Board and confirmed by the GA in June 2023).