KIRAS: SEEDS (Security Education by Empowering Democratic Strength)
KIRAS: SEEDS (Security Education by Empowering Democratic Strength)
Democracies worldwide face mounting challenges from social inequality, populism, and disinformation. Events like Brexit and the 2016 US election highlight the impact of post-truth politics. Democracy has declined in half of global systems over the past five years, with 72% of the world’s population now living under autocracies. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally altered the understanding of security in Europe and Austria, as well as the European security architecture. In light of new military threats, it is crucial to make democratic societies more resilient and defensible. National defense and security now encompass not only the protection of territorial sovereignty but also the defense of democratic order and the rule of law. In Austria, the concept of comprehensive national defense (ULV) addresses this approach. Alongside economic, civil, and military defense, intellectual national defense (Geistige Landesverteidigung) is a key component, focusing on raising awareness and imparting democratic values. Schools play a vital role in conveying and sustainably anchoring democratic resilience. The SEEDS (Security Education by Empowering Democratic Strength) project addresses this research and educational need. The project focuses on determining young people’s knowledge base and information sources on security policy issues through participatory research workshops with students.
Funded by: Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft FFG
Duration: December 2024 –July 2026
Project Lead: Annika Scharnagl, Sophie Reichelt