The European Dimension in Citizenship Education: Unused Potential of Article 165 TFEU

How to cope with fragmented learning about the European Union in schools? This article reacts to the widespread idea that the European Union lacks relevant competence in the matter While basic competence lies with the Member States, the European Union has the supporting competence to issue binding legislation to effectively promote the European dimension in citizenship education curricula by giving incentives, for instance, to schools or learners. This competence is a lex specialis to the lex generalis which requires full respect for Member States' responsibility for content of teaching. After 20 years, the potential of art. 165 TFEU is largely unused as to the substance (the European dimension evaporating into multilevel citizenship education and into the international dimension) and as to the form (recommendations and flourishing open methods of co-ordination). Article 165 TFEU provides a sound legal basis for focused EU action (beyond mobility) to prepare the majority of pupils who remain at home for an active, informed, critical and responsible EU citizenship, a prerequisite for democracy.