Rome Declaration on Geographical Education in Europe
IV EUGEO Congress 2013
Geographical education provides students with essential key elements needed to know and
understand the world. The use of geographical information is vital for the future of Europe. All
European citizens need to understand how to deal with this information. Geographical education
provides a solution for this dilemma. For example, an appropriate use of geospatial data and
technologies helps to critically analyse real world problems; to conduct research with different
levels of complexity; to find sustainable alternatives; and to help develop creative ideas.
The representatives of the Italian Association of Geography Education (AIIG), the Association of
Geographical Societies in Europe (EUGEO), the European Association of Geographers
(EUROGEO) and the International Geographical Union (IGU), gathered for the Session
“Geography education’s challenges in response to changing geographies”, confirm that the teaching
of Geography in schools is fundamental. Its contribution helps society deal with many different
aspects of change facing Europe today (social, economic, cultural, geopolitical, environmental,
climatic and technological) and at different scales (local, regional, European and world).
With this firm conviction we are committed to working in the various countries and at European
institution level to provide guidance that will help authorities develop syllabuses and
school curricula in Geography that:
• apply geographical knowledge, skills and understanding to the main issues linked with
change processes taking place at local, national, European and planetary level;
• highlight the educational values and the role of geographical education in a changing world.
We ask those responsible in European governments and educational systems:
- to recognise the educational value of geographical knowledge, skills and understanding and
- to consider its strategic role for the achievement of skills linked to citizenship.
We therefore request that:
- sufficient time for the teaching of Geography is allocated to all primary and secondary schools;
- professional training courses in Geography Education are made available for all teachers of
Geography;
- the teaching of Geography is limited to teachers with a qualification or specialist training in
Geography.
Gino De Vecchis, President of the Italian Association of Geography Education (AIIG)
Karl Donert, President of the European Association of Geographers (EUROGEO) Vladimir Kolossov, president of the International Geographic Union (IGU)
Henk Ottens, President of the Association of Geographical Societies in Europe (EUGEO) Joop van der Schee, Co-chair of the Commission on Geographical Education of the International
Geographic Union (IGU-CGE).
Rome, September 5th 2013