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What is the Zaragoza Declaration on Education?
The Zaragoza Declaration on Education is a foundational document that advocates for parental rights in education, educational pluralism, and universal access to quality education. It was adopted in 2008 during the First World Congress for Student’s Parents Associations in Zaragoza, Spain, bringing together representatives from over 30 countries. Parents International was among them.
This declaration establishes that parents have the primary right to guide their children’s education, ensuring that education systems respect diverse pedagogical approaches, cultural values, and religious beliefs. It also calls for the recognition of microcredentials, the expansion of teacher mobility opportunities, and the automatic acceptance of professional development training across European institutions.
In 2025, reflecting on the Zaragoza Declaration on Education’s impact, we assess its origins, objectives, and ongoing relevance in modern education policy.
Origins and Philosophical Framework
The First World Congress for Student’s Parents Associations, held in Zaragoza in June 2008, was organized by the National Catholic Confederation of Parents of Families and Parents of Students (CONCAPA). It convened education stakeholders from Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, North America, and Australia to address the role of parents in education and the need for institutional collaboration.
The declaration’s philosophical framework is based on:
- Educational pluralism – Recognizing diverse pedagogical approaches as a strength in democratic societies.
- Parental rights – Upholding families’ role as the primary decision-makers in children’s education.
- Universal education – Ensuring equal access to high-quality education for all.
- Collaborative governance – Encouraging dialogue between parents, educators, and policymakers.
These principles align with international human rights frameworks, including Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms that parents have the right to choose their children’s education.
Aims of the Zaragoza Declaration on Education
The declaration sets forth clear objectives that remain relevant today:
- Parental Rights in Education – Ensuring that parents can freely choose schools and curricula that align with their beliefs.
- Open Microcredential Recognition – Promoting a cross-border system where microcredentials are automatically accepted as university credits and compulsory CPD.
- Universal Access to Quality Education – Guaranteeing that every child receives a well-rounded education.
- Educational Pluralism – Supporting public, private, and alternative education models.
- Teacher Mobility & Training Recognition – Allowing educators to train across European institutions without accreditation barriers.
- Shared Values in Education – Encouraging civic engagement, ethical leadership, and sustainability.
- Transparency & Accountability – Ensuring that education institutions are evaluated objectively.
- Stakeholder Participation – Involving parents, teachers, and communities in decision-making.
- Equity in Digital Transformation – Ensuring that technology enhances access to education for all.
- Advocacy for Long-Term Educational Reform – Promoting sustainable policies for future generations.
The Zaragoza Declaration on Education in 2025: Impact and Challenges
Since 2008, the declaration has influenced education policy and advocacy efforts, but implementation has varied:
- Parental Rights & School Choice – Some countries have strengthened school choice laws, while others have maintained state-controlled curricula.
- Recognition of Microcredentials – Progress has been slow, as many universities still do not accept microcredentials for CPD accreditation.
- Teacher Mobility & CPD Recognition – The lack of automatic CPD recognition remains a barrier to teacher mobility across Europe.
- Transparency & Accountability – Countries have adopted standardized testing and school performance tracking, but some lack clear evaluation mechanisms.
Next Steps in Advocacy
The Zaragoza Declaration remains a guiding document for education reform and advocacy. Moving forward, education policymakers, universities, and stakeholders must:
✅ Commit to automatic microcredential recognition across European institutions.
✅ Strengthen cross-border teacher mobility initiatives.
✅ Ensure education policies reflect the principles of transparency, parental rights, and lifelong learning.
Full Text of the Zaragoza Declaration on Education (2008)
Preamble
The participants of the First World Congress for Student’s Parents Associations affirm the following twelve articles, recognizing education as a fundamental right and shared responsibility:
Article 1: The Right to Choose Education
Parents have the primary right and duty to educate their children in accordance with their convictions, religious beliefs, and cultural values.
Article 2: Universal Access to Quality Education
Every person has the right to free and high-quality education, regardless of social or economic status.
Article 3: Family Responsibility in Education
Families must actively support and engage in their children’s education, promoting learning, values, and discipline.
Article 4: Pluralism in Education
Education must reflect diverse cultural, religious, and philosophical perspectives, ensuring freedom of choice for parents and students.
Article 5: Non-Discrimination in Education
Governments cannot impose mandatory secular or religious education that contradicts parental beliefs.
Article 6: Teacher Professional Development
Teachers must have access to lifelong learning, with automatically recognized CPD programs across institutions.
Article 7: Education for Peace and Social Responsibility
Education should promote civic engagement, ethics, and cultural understanding.
Article 8: Transparency in Educational Institutions
Schools must operate under objective assessment and accountability, allowing parents to evaluate school performance.
Article 9: The Role of Schools in Community Development
Schools should foster collaboration between families, educators, and local communities.
Article 10: The Right to Educational Mobility
Students and teachers should have free movement between institutions, without bureaucratic barriers to diploma or CPD recognition.
Article 11: The Integration of Technology in Education
Education systems must adapt to digital transformation, ensuring equal access to technology-enhanced learning.
Article 12: Commitment to Lifelong Learning
Governments and institutions must continuously improve education systems, ensuring alignment with 21st-century needs and labor market demands.
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