Security Education during the Process of Democratization and Internationalization: The Czech Lessons

• Published in: Journal of homeland security and emergency management Vol. 8; no. 2; p. 1
• Main Authors: Mika, Otakar Jiri, Mares, Miroslav, Fiserova, Lenka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin De Gruyter 01.07.2011; Walter De Gruyter & Company
• Subjects: College students; Communism; Counterterrorism; Curricula; Czech Republic; Democracy; Democratization; Education; Emergencies; emergency management; Globalization; Higher education; Internationalization; National security; population protection; Risk management; Schools; Secondary schools; Security; security education; Students; Terrorism; Universities; University students; Czech Republic
• ISSN: 1547-7355; 2194-6361; 1547-7355
• DOI: 10.2202/1547-7355.1875

In the recent two decades, security education in the former Eastern bloc has been developing dynamically. This process is exemplified by the changes implemented in the Czech Republic. After the fall of communism, a decline of security education was apparent. After the NATO enlargement and during the war on terror, new approaches to security education at primary and secondary schools have been introduced (mostly in population protection). Some universities have accredited security study programs comprising the state specified minimum security education standards. Authors analyze and suggest study programs to prepare both population and university students for emergencies. The process of internationalization of security education and the transfer of know-how to new democratic regimes are illustrated in the article.