Unarchiving democracy: archives and non-formal education against racism and the Far Right

As part of the FREI – From Resistance to European Integration project, the next local event will take place in Rome from 12 to13 March 2026, organised by our Italian partner, FUNDACAO MARIO SOARES

How can archives and non-formal education help address racism, disinformation and the rise of far-right narratives? This Local Path event, organised within the FREI project, draws on Portugal’s peaceful democratic transition and experience of decolonisation to explore how historical memory shapes democratic awareness today.

Using the “Unarchiving Democracy” methodology - developed by the Mário Soares and Maria Barroso Foundation, participants will work directly with historical documents, audiovisual materials and testimonies. Through participatory workshops and group reflection, young people, educators and representatives of post-colonial communities are invited to connect past struggles with present-day democratic challenges, strengthening critical thinking, civic engagement and dialogue.

Partners of the event:

• Municipality of Leiria

• Leiria School Library Network

• Polytechnic University of Leiria

Photo credit: https://fmsoaresbarroso.pt/

More detailed information on the event and its outcomes will be included in the forthcoming FREI Guide Book, where readers will also find links to related materials and the project’s online exhibition. The FREI project is funded by the CERV- Citizens Equality Rights and Values programme of the European Union.