Seven out of 10 Luxembourg residents believe that the country's democratic culture should be strengthened, according to a recent survey conducted by the Centre for Citizenship Education to mark its 10th anniversary.
The results reassure the Centre, which sees its mission as more vital than ever.
The survey, carried out by research firm Quest, questioned 600 residents aged 15 and over. Most respondents expressed concerns about threats to democracy in Europe, although a majority remained confident that democracy is resilient enough to withstand such challenges.
Michèle Schilt, deputy director of the Centre, noted that although just over half of respondents described themselves as optimistic about the future of democracy in Europe, there are still more optimists than pessimists.
The focus must now be on finding practical ways to keep democracy strong in the long term, she added.
Almost half of those surveyed identified the fight against disinformation as a key priority, while 43% highlighted the need to reduce social inequalities.
Respondents placed the main responsibility for addressing these issues on the government, followed by the school system.
Schilt stressed that schools play a crucial role in teaching children and young people about democracy and their rights as citizens, and that early education is essential. She also pointed out that good governance and efforts to reduce social inequality are fundamental to maintaining public trust in democracy.
Some questions in the survey suggested expanding or simplifying access to voting rights as possible solutions, but these options received limited support from respondents.
When it comes to personal engagement, 64% of those surveyed said they would be willing to vote to help strengthen democracy. More than half would be open to listening to others' opinions, signing petitions, or verifying information.
However, active involvement in political parties, participating in strikes, or standing as a candidate in elections attracted significantly less support, with only 14, 12, and 9% respectively saying they would consider these actions.
