National Youth Defence Education School Forum Bydgoszcz 2024 aimed to research the current trends and challenges of youth education in defence and security. Forum participants, representatives of the Ministry of Defence, representatives of the Central Military Recruitment Centre and another military institutions, representatives of the Ministry of National Education including directors, teachers, coordinators of Military Preparation Divisions, Military Branches, Cyber.Mil with Klasa and education experts discussed the function of defence education in shaping attitudes of young people.
The forum discussed the existing projects of the Ministry of Defence (implemented under CWCR aegis) concerning defence education. Participants highlighted the request to update and adapt them to changing geopolitical and technological conditions. It is crucial that these programmes are attractive to students and affect them in the learning process. The validity of the projects of the Ministry of National Defence - Military Preparation Divisions, Military Divisions and specified as Cyber safety - Cyber.Mil with Klasa, which are becoming increasingly crucial today.
The Forum stressed the importance of school cooperation with military institutions, NGOs and local communities. Participants discussed organized joint projects that enrich the educational offer. Examples specified as the Central Assembly of the Military Classes, the Polish Army cognition Tournament “The Military Extract”, A review of the Military Class Muster or joint exercises with soldiers show how crucial it is to affect different environments in the education process.
Another key point of the Forum was to emphasise the importance of learning applicable skills. Students should learn about first aid, orientation in the field as well as the basics of survival. The organisation of classes by soldiers, which let for applicable exercises under the watchful eye of instructors from the patronage units, importantly increases the engagement of young people and their readiness to act in crisis situations.
Forum participants pointed out the opportunities offered by joint exercises with soldiers from the patronage military units in the camp and barracks, utilizing weapons simulators and trainers and another innovative teaching methods. The usage of technology makes the defence learning process more attractive and interactive, which in turn increases the motivation of students to survey as well as to join the ranks of the Armed Forces.
Defence education is simply a key component of patriotic and civic education. The Forum participants stressed that young people should be aware of the risks that may arise in different crisis situations and should be able to respond responsibly and thoughtfully. Strengthening pro-defensive attitudes aims not only to prepare young people to defend the country, but besides to make their civic skills.
The Forum participants besides stressed the importance of teacher education in defence education. The organisation of this kind of forum allows teachers to gain fresh knowledge, which is crucial for the effective communication of information to students. Teachers should be well prepared to respond to questions and concerns of young people.
The Forum not only enabled the exchange of experience, but besides allowed to discuss the changes resulting from the introduction of fresh implementing acts.
During the National School Forum "Youth Defence Education" Deputy Head of the Central Military Recruitment Centre, Colonel Tomasz Włodarczyk presented awards for schools which in 2024 had among their graduates the highest recruitment rate to the Armed Forces of Poland.
National Youth Defence Education Forum Bydgoszcz 2024, was an crucial platform for exchanging experiences and ideas for the improvement of defence education in Poland. Participants agreed that a comprehensive approach to this subject is crucial to the conduct of Military Preparation Divisions, Military Branches and Cyber. Cooperation between schools and military institutions, updating curricula, planning joint exercises and utilizing modern technologies are only any of the recommendations that can contribute to effective defence education in Poland.
Text: Major Renata Mycio/ CWCR
