New Nordic Report Explores Student Councils and Democratic Participation: Strong Contributions from the University of Jyväskylä
The publication represents a broad Nordic collaboration. University of Jyväskylä’s Finnish Institute for Educational Research (FIER) and the Faculty of Education and Psychology contributed multiple experts, including Marleena Mustola, Mikko Hiljanen, Najat Ouakrim-Soivio, and Ilona Markkanen, who each brought deep expertise in education policy, democratic participation, and inclusion. From the Innovative Learning Environments (ILE) Research Lab, Josephine Lau played a central role in inviting University of Jyväskylä's experts into the study. Kristóf Fenyvesi, also from JYU and a member of the ILE Research Lab, ensured the smooth collaboration, though the emphasis of the research was firmly on the substantive work of the lead authors and contributors.
The findings of the report highlight both the promise and the challenges of student councils in the Nordic region. While most schools formally establish councils, real influence is often limited, raising questions about inclusivity and equity. The report calls for structural and cultural shifts to ensure that student councils function as meaningful spaces for participation, rather than symbolic ones.
This collaborative achievement not only strengthens the Nordic knowledge base on democratic education but also underscores the University of Jyväskylä’s commitment to advancing research that empowers children and young people to shape their educational environments.
You can read the full report here: Student Councils and Democratic Participation in the Nordic Region
Direct download in PDF: https://nordicwelfare.org/pub/Student_councils_and_democratic_participation_in_the_Nordic_region/Student%20councils%20and%20democratic%20participation%20in%20the%20Nordic%20region.pdf
