The conference (organized by the University of Bamberg and the European Association for Service-Learning in Higher Education) focuses on how?democracy in higher education can be strengthened through service-learning and civic engagement. It responds to challenges such as social polarization and the difficulty of integrating democratic competences into academic teaching.

Service-learning is presented as a way to connect academic knowledge with community needs while fostering skills like critical thinking, empathy, and civic responsibility. The conference provides a platform to exchange ideas, experiences, and research, aiming to strengthen universities’ role in promoting active citizenship and democratic societies.

Conference tracks:

• Didactical Methods for Effective Democracy Education
• Service-learning institutionalization in higher education
• Future Educational Goals and Curriculum Development

Key details:

• Contributions: research-based or reflective practice (max. 400-word abstract)
• Formats: presentation, poster, workshop
• Deadline abstract submission: 19th April 2026
• Abstract approval: 4th June 2026
• Conference: 7th-9th October 2026 in Bamberg

Click here for further information: Call for abstractsExterner Link