The main goal of the Programme was to support the compulsory schools' teachers in teaching about the basics of Democracy in the classrooms. The importance of teaching Civics in the transition society as Estonia was, was fully recognised by the State in 1996, when Civics was incorporated into Estonian National Curriculum as an independent and compulsory school subject.

In 1996 the Civics Programme was developed into independent substructure of the Jaan Tõnisson Institute - Civic Education Centre (CEC). During the years we have broadened dealing with Democracy Education also into the spheres in the society other than education. We have establihed partnership relations with plenty of partners in Estonia and abroad.

Today there are various areas of activities for Civic Education Centre related to Civics mainstream.

The activities of the Centre are diverse, including research, in-service training courses, developing educational teaching materials, publishing, consulting, providing expertises etc.

In 1999 UNESCO Secretary General Mr Frederico Mayor and Estonian Minister of Culture Ms Signe Kivi signed a declaration about establishing at the Civic Education Centre UNESCO Chair in Civic Education and Multicultural Studies.

We are non-partisan organisation and open to cooperation for all those organisations and individuals intersted in fruitful partnership. Our goal is, that all the projects we implement, will conclude with the practical outcomes and the work done by us will be variable.