Civic education, which respects diversity and which is based on the legal and ethical principles of human rights can contribute to preparing new generations to respond to future challenges.It helps in shaping a European identity based upon the principles of free debate and the participation of all in drawing up legislation and in situations of power . It thus responds to the threefold mission of education: teaching, educating,socialisation. This monograph is published as part of the project "A secondary education for Europe".