International Journal on Lifelong Education and Leadership (2018), 4(2)

Keywords:
civic education, civic position, tolerance, youth.
 
Introduction 
With increasing threat of terrorism and its diverse manifestations in the world, issues of social security 
and human unity are becoming more topical. Integration of society means the mutual recognition and 
acceptance of different groups and individuals, understanding and cooperation for ensuring common 
unity, security, stability and growth. Today, the future of each individual and personal well-being are to a 
large extent linked to the functioning of social and political systems of the countries. Living in a 
multifaceted and versatile, but at the same time built on the democratic basis European space, as well as 
being aware of the challenges of intercultural conflict in the era of globalization (Huntington, 1996), a 
young generation must be prepared to accept diversity and to be respectful and tolerant. Tolerance is an 
essential aspect of the formation of a new citizen's personality, and one of the most influential factors 
determining his/her civic position and its manifestations. 
The beginnings of the formation of tolerance are found in the system of interrelationships in the family, 
where the particular example of parents and their behavioral models play an important role. Being aware 
of the complex socioeconomic situation in the country, it can be observed in practice that communication 
of some parents and children is insufficient to provide and promote a positive understanding of social 
interaction, which creates a favorable soil for the development of negative qualities, mutual indifference 
and intolerance, stereotypes and hostility, as well as uncontrolled manifestations of aggressiveness. As the 
school is largely responsible for the formation of future citizens, it seeks to offset the shortcomings of 
family upbringing. It is definitely important for the young people's successful integration into society and 
the realization of their goals of life that are closely linked to the opportunities for education and the 
formation of a targeted civic position. The school's institutional norms, social structures, school culture 
and values based on tolerance are a good basis for promoting intercultural education, which ensures that 
the ideals of constructive social interactions are emphasized and implemented in action. In order for the 
society to become more open to change and overcoming problems, the level of civic education of the 
society must be high, which can be characterized by one of the essential components of the quality of 
social interaction - tolerance in active social co-responsibility and participation.
The aim of the research is
:
basing on the updating theoretical findings that characterize the dimension of 
tolerance, to carry out the questionnaire and determine students` ((grade 9-12) of Liepāja (Latvia)) self-
esteem of tolerance, as well as awareness of young people and attitudes towards equal opportunities in 
comparison with different ethnic groups.
The object of the research is:
the implementation of civic education in the pedagogical process in 
secondary school. 
The subject of the research is
:
self-esteem of 9th - 12th grade students. 

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