As society in the European Union becomes more culturally diverse, the educational system is increasingly tasked with addressing the complexities of multiculturalism. This research paper explores the challenges of implementing multicultural education within the context of democratic education in higher education.

In democratic education, the increasing diversity of student populations presents significant challenges in addressing multiculturalism. Drawing on relevant literature, the paper examines the core principles of multicultural and democratic education, its role in promoting social cohesion and tolerance, the practical hurdles educators and policymakers face in its implementation and how multicultural approaches can support democratic education's goals. The study aims to explore the students’ views on the principles of democratic education in the context of multiculturalism to promote mechanisms for achieving a balance between recognising cultural differences and preventing discrimination and inequality in higher education. The research question is: How do students perceive, experience and self-evaluate democratic education within the context of multiculturalism in higher education?

The research was analysed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha to assess reliability, Spearman rank correlation to evaluate relationships between variables, and the Mann-Whitney U test for comparing groups. Data were gathered via QuestionPro, a survey tool. The survey consisted of 11 questions, with the final question using an x-point Likert scale to capture participants’ attitudes.

The study results uncover challenges associated with integrating multiculturalism into democratic education frameworks and aim to provide insights into how cultural inclusivity and democratic values coexist. The discussion highlights the need for a comprehensive, multidimensional approach to multicultural education beyond simply including diverse content, fostering critical self-reflection, challenging biases, and developing the skills and dispositions necessary for effectiveness.

Keywords: Multiculturalism, democratic education, diversity, inclusivity, higher education.