Navigating Social Worlds in Central and East European Context

Abstract

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) occupies an ambiguous position in Europe. While many CEE countries had long joined the European Union, yet they are unceasingly perceived as lagging behind in terms of their democratic culture and liberal principles. In a sense, CEE has been in a permanent state of transition for over three decades, trying to "catch up" with the more advanced West. One area where this process manifests is education-a sector that has undergone significant changes in the recent decades, yet has not achieved the expected results. More specifically, this study analyses how two aspects of Western education system-multicultural education and the promotion of critical thinking skills-can be incorporated into the CEE education systems through the examples of Poland and Hungary, highlighting the importance of overcoming the historically deep-seated culture of frontal education style, as well as historical, political and social legacies of the past. Research Contribution:This research shows that implementation of educational policies that are rooted in Western educational traditions must accommodate the political, cultural and social context of the CEE region for successful implementation.