Social and civic competences

Articol postat la 8 December 2009.

6. Social and civic competences

Interpersonal competences comprise all forms of behaviour that must be mastered in order for an individual to be able to participate in an efficient and constructive way in social life, and to resolve conflict where necessary. Interpersonal skills are necessary for effective interaction on a one-to-one basis or in groups, and are employed in both the public and private domains.

6.1. Interpersonal, intercultural and social competences

Interpersonal competences cover all forms of behaviour that one must master as an individual in order to be able to participate in an efficient, constructive way and resolve conflict in social life, in interaction with other
individuals (or groups) in personal, family and public contexts.

The competence consists of the following elements of knowledge, skills and attitudes as appropriate to the context:

Knowledge

Understanding of codes of conduct and manners generally accepted or promoted in different societies.
Awareness of concepts of individual, group, society and culture and the historical evolution of these concepts.
Knowledge of how to maintain good health, hygiene and nutrition for oneself and one’s family.
Understanding of the intercultural dimension in European and other societies.

Skills

Ability to communicate constructively in different social situations (tolerating the views and behaviour of others; awareness of individual and collective responsibility).
Ability to create confidence and empathy in other individuals.
Ability to express one’s frustration in a constructive way (control of aggression and violence or self-destructive patterns of behaviour).
Ability to maintain a degree of separation between the professional and personal spheres of life, and to resist the transfer of professional conflict into personal domains.
Awareness and understanding of national cultural identity in interaction with the cultural identity of Europe and the rest of the world; ability to see and understand the different viewpoints caused by diversity and contribute one’s own views constructively.
Ability to negotiate.

Attitudes

Showing interest in and respect for others.
Willingness to overcome stereotypes and prejudices.
Disposition to compromise
Integrity.
Assertiveness.

6.2. Civic competences

The scope of civic competences is broader than that of interpersonal competences by virtue of their existence at societal level. They can be described as the set of competences that allow the individual to achieve participation in civic life.

The competence consists of the following elements of knowledge, skills and attitudes as appropriate to the context:

Knowledge

Knowledge of civil rights and the constitution of the host country, the scope of its government.
Understanding the roles and responsibilities of institutions relevant to the policy-making process at local, regional, national, European and international level (including the political and economic role of the EU).
Knowledge of key figures in local and national governments; political parties and their policies.
Understanding of concepts such as democracy, citizenship and the international declarations expressing them (including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the Treaties).
Knowledge of the main events, trends and agents of change in national, European and world history; the present situation of Europe and its neighbours.
Knowledge of emigration, immigration and minorities in Europe and in the world.

Skills

Participation in community /neighbourhood activities as well as in decision-making at national and European levels; voting in elections.
Ability to display solidarity by showing an interest in and helping to solve problems affecting the local or the wider community.
Ability to interface effectively with institutions in the public domain.
Ability to profit from the opportunities given by the EU.
Necessary skills in the language spoken in the country.

Attitudes

Sense of belonging to one’s locality, country, the EU and Europe in general and (one’s part of) the world.
Willingness to participate in democratic decision-making at all levels.
Disposition to volunteer and to participate in civic activities, support for social diversity and social
cohesion.
Readiness to respect the values and privacy of others with a propensity to react against anti-social
behaviour.
Acceptance of the concept of human rights and equality as a basis of solidarity and responsibility in the modern democratic societies of Europe; acceptance of equality between men and women.
Appreciation and understanding of differences between value systems of different religious or ethnic
groups.
Critical reception of information from mass media.

Source:

Key competences for lifelong learning – A European Reference Framework