European Association of History Educators

Heritage and National Identity – Key Issues in History Education

EUROCLIO’s seventh Annual Conference and General Assembly was organised in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Host of the event was The Scottish Association of Teachers in History . This year’s theme was ‘Heritage and National Identity – Key Issues in History Education.’ An appealing theme for history educators as it touches the aims, the content and the methods of history teaching. It gives immediate access to controversial questions. The conference was attended by 108 participants from 37 different countries. The conference presented a range of lectures, presentations and activities, focusing on the question how history educators from different European countries deal with heritage and national identity. Prof. Tom Devine delivered the keynote speech of the conference. He got the conference off to a controversial start with a lively, provocative interpretation of how the Scotch dealt with their national identity in the 19th century.
In several workshops the participants discussed the issues raised during the visits and presentations. An example of a question that emerged is: What identity should we teach? This is a very political choice. It is connected for example with nationalism and separatism and can be very exclusive. For example in the newly formed states and countries in the former Soviet sphere of influence the creation of a national identity is of higher importance than in many other European countries. Several speakers and participants mentioned in this context the importance of a balance of regional, national, European and world history. The conference enjoyed a variety of venues and activities, among others to The Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle and George Heriot’s school. This brought contrast, movement, social and cultural interaction to the successful conference.