Publish at November 29 2022 Updated November 29 2022
The Anthropocene would be the period we are in, the one where humanity has a prevalence over any other type of factor on ecosystems, we are seeing far more effects of our actions on the environment than ever before in history. Plastic continent, temperature disruption, species extinction, deforestation; the list of our effects is very (too) large. So what can we do? Obviously, concerted international action would be ideal. However, the multiple climate conferences make it clear that actions are more often timid than important.
As the Anthropocene continues, some hope that this era will bring more altruism to society. We could move from an individualistic civilization to one more focused on the common good. Except that this ideal will not happen on its own, without a societal paradigm shift; this transformation could only happen through one particular path: education.
In November 2020, UNESCO published "Learning to Become with the World: Education for Future Survival". The United Nations agency recognized more than ever that the challenges ahead in the coming decades would be critical. With the sustainability of our species and the planet at stake, educational methods would have to change in order to bring about new human generations capable of thinking about life on Earth more respectfully of ecosystems, limited resources, etc. This would also mean greater human justice with a decrease in social disparities and a humanistic approach.
Besides, this philosophy could well accompany a pedagogy for 2050 and beyond. It has long promoted the idea of economic and community systems that would be sustainable over time and environmentally. In addition, UNESCO in 2020 published another document sharing the "humanistic future of learning." For the authors, it seems essential that all school structures take this path in order to:
Thus, this transformation requires a total change of philosophy on the part of education systems. Incorporating social and environmental justice into the classroom could indeed ensure sustainable and healthy development of human populations in the coming decades. Except that this idea, although has been increasingly shared in recent years, is dependent, among other things, on official institutions. Indeed, the public school must respond to the requirements of ministries belonging to governments that are often very timid, even hostile, to these humanistic concepts. So, how can this type of pedagogy be established?
Possibly by bringing democratic approaches into schools, first, to deal with these subjects. Especially with students who are already aware of the inaction of some politicians, bringing up the issue of egalitarian community action can be an interesting thing to introduce. Moreover, through educational activities, there is nothing to prevent institutions from addressing notions of humanism, justice, etc. By instilling these precepts drop by drop, they can make their way into the minds of learners.
The good news also lies in the fact that this more humanistic ideology is making its way into education. For example, the European Council adopted in early 2022 GreenComp a new competency framework for education, putting sustainability as a priority area on the continent. Thus, it would now be essential for institutions to institute inclusive and quality training on biodiversity, climate change, sustainability and lifelong learning.
Virtues closer to humanism would have more room than ever in the curricula. A paradigm shift that goes with reflections, including in the management sector, in higher education. It is even possible to read in the Harvard Business Review France about the importance of rethinking pedagogical models and values in administration in this anthropocene era.
Photo credit: en.depositphotos.com
References:
"Learning to Become with the World: Education for Future Survival." UNESCO. Last updated November 28, 2020.
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000374923_fre.
Davidson, Mark D. "Humanism and Sustainable Development." Brill. Last updated November 24, 2021.
https://brill.com/view/journals/wo/25/3/article-p183_1.xml.
Denimal, Amandine, and Tommy Terraz. "Can the Anthropocene Become The Age Of Altruism?" OpenEdition Journals. November 2021.
https://journals.openedition.org/rechercheseducations/11763.
Hadengue, Marin, and Yoann Guntzburger. "Rethinking Educational Models In Management In The Anthropocene Era." HBR. - 17 Aug. 2022.
https://www.hbrfrance.fr/chroniques-experts/2022/08/47746-repenser-les-modeles-educatifs-a-lere-de-lanthropocene/.
Niblett, Blair. "Making a Difference: Facilitating Humanistic Education." Edu Source Ontario. Last updated 2017.
https://edusourceontario.com/res/faire-difference-monographie-n66
Popovych, Mykola, Vasyl Levkulych, Yuriy Khodanych, and Tereziia Popovych. "Introducing the concepts and methods of humanism into education for ensuring quality sustainable development." E3S Web of Conferences. Last updated June 24, 2021.
https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/abs/2021/53/e3sconf_icees2021_06008/e3sconf_icees2021_06008.html.
Wallenhorst, Nathanaël, Alix Garnier, Renaud Hétier, and Marie-Louise Martinez. "Educating In The Anthropocene:An Educational Paradigm to Build For The 21st Century." OpenEdition Journals. Last updated November 1, 2021.
https://journals.openedition.org/rechercheseducations/11527.
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