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Ceder’s Interview

What’s it like to step into a sociocratic school and immediately start shaping it yourself? In this episode, Ceder from the Netherlands shares how joining De Vrije Ruimte opened the door to real participation, from launching a student coffee machine project to debating phone policies and helping redesign shared spaces. He reflects on finding his […]

Sjef’s Interview

Can a change of school help you discover who you really are? In this episode, Sjef from the Netherlands looks back on three years in a democratic high school that gave him space to grow at his own pace. What began as a practical decision became a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and shared responsibility. He […]

Inclusive Voices Conference

The Inclusive Voices Conference is a youth-led summit bringing together 50 young representatives from rural Ireland, Spain, and Belgium to engage in direct face-to-face dialogue with EU policymakers. It is the moment where grassroots rural experiences meet high-level decision-making to advocate for a more inclusive and participatory Europe.

Noemie’s Story

In this interview, Noémie engages with young people from Belgium and the Netherlands, both students and alumni of democratic schools. Through their personal testimonies, they reflect on how democratic values have shaped their learning journeys, influenced their everyday social interactions, and impacted their lives as a whole. https://quest-eu.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/lv_0_20250726211313.mp4

Ola’s Interview

What happens when you switch from a traditional school to a democratic one in your final years? In this episode, Ola (19) from Warsaw shares how joining a free democratic school transformed her outlook and confidence. She opens up about the powerful difference of being treated with genuine respect by adults, the challenges of accessibility […]

Pavel’s Interview

What does it mean to have a real say at university?  In this episode, Pavel (24) from Bulgaria shares his experiences as an elected student council member, moving from organizing events to shaping important decisions for his peers. Hear how he helped empower student clubs, advocated for practical changes like first aid supplies, and learned […]

Tymoteusz’s Interview

How does a democratic school experience shape your path into adulthood? In this episode, Tymoteusz shares his journey from traditional Polish schools to discovering new independence and self-awareness at a free democratic school. He reflects on the freedom to choose what and how to learn, the importance of community decision-making, and the value of open […]

Kalin’s Interview

What’s it like to find freedom and acceptance after switching from a traditional to a democratic school? In this episode, Kalin (15) from Sofia shares how his journey began with uncertainty but quickly turned into a story of confidence, creativity, and belonging. Hear how democratic education allowed him to pursue his passion for acting, take […]

Princess and Mary’s Interview

How do young people find their voice in democracy?  In this episode, Princess (18) and Mary (14) from Ireland share their experiences on youth advisory panels, student councils, and leading debate clubs. They discuss the importance of being heard, shaping children’s rights, and engaging with policymakers in Ireland’s parliament. From tackling tough topics in debate […]

Cala Wioska School

Cala Wioska School

Biography coming soon.

Creating a Safe, Inclusive and Supportive Classroom

Sehlim Charles

Biography coming soon.

Young Children’s Voices in Educational Decision-Making: Power and Participation in Disadvantaged Preschool Classrooms

Duygu Yalman Polatlar

Duygu Yalman Polatlar is an Assistant Professor at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University, Türkiye. Her research focuses on early childhood education, children’s literature, children’s rights, and children’s participation.

Alperen Avcı

Alperen Avcı is a lecturer at Muş Alparslan University, Türkiye, and a PhD candidate in Preschool Education at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University.

Rights-based Participation of Children with Special Educational Needs in Educational Decision-Making

Lenka Mazáková

Lenka Mazakova is a co-founder of the Slobodna skola. She specializes in inclusive educational practices for students with diverse needs and behavioural challenges in democratic school environments.

From Participation to Practice: How Evidence-Based Wellbeing and Equity-Focused Leadership Can Shift Power Towards Children’s Voices in Education

Geetika Goyal

Biography coming soon.

Jayne Carter

Biography coming soon.

Reimagining Educational Research Through Children’s Participation: Insights from Transdisciplinary and Participatory Approaches

Sarah Zerika

Sarah Zerika holds a PhD in Educational Sciences and is a Substitute Research and Teaching Fellow at the University of Geneva’s Centre for Children’s Rights Studies. Her research focuses on children’s rights and participation in education, school climate, transdisciplinary approaches, and the ethics of research involving children.

Johanna Zelck

Johanna Zelck is a research and teaching assistant at the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg. Her doctoral research focuses on children’s interpretation and negotiations of the generational order and adultism.

Maude Louviot

Biography coming soon.

From Consultation to Co-Creation: Child Leadership in Practice in Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia

Nejira Pasic

Nejira Pašić is the Children’s Rights Project Lead for Southeast Europe at the Global Campus of Human Rights, where she leads children’s rights mainstreaming and programming, including the Child Leadership Team and Youth Advisory Group. She is also a Lecturer at the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, teaching research methods, public policy and human rights.