Transform.Ed Briefing #41
Inside the Briefing: Self-expression, alternatives to status quo, and critical thinking - for possibilities vital to dissent, democracy, and education
Dissent, though often viewed as negative or undesirable, is a safety valve of any healthy society and can help avoid violence and conflicts. Whether Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement or the broader civil rights movements in the US, history is replete with instances where dissent has been a powerful way of driving societal change and progress.
The unfortunate reality is that even in democracies, education does not often prepare young people with the art and science of dissent due to its misassociation with violence and anti-establishment attitude. Dissent can enable us – individually and collectively — to consider diverse expressions and can help shape more inclusive, diverse, compassionate, and future-forward societies.
One of the criticisms of the prevalent education system is that it views learners as passive and compliant recipients of instructions as opposed to being a force for critical inquiry, creativity, and celebration of unique human expressions. At the core of being an effective dissenting voice is a well-informed view of the issue and one’s ability to form strong arguments.
Last week, we asked our readers what approaches are the most effective in enhancing students’ proficiency in argumentation. 50% of respondents believed that creating a safe environment is the best approach, while the other half was equally split between encouraging debate and dialogue and promoting thought-provoking readings.
Democracies are under stress and duress even in countries and regions that are widely held to be democratic. Given that educators and institutions face extreme onslaught and threats both from the State and other actors, it is unsurprising that they do not focus enough on engaging learners in difficult conversations. However, that begs the question – how well are we preparing our young people to learn to be and to live together?
Given the obstacles and threats educators and educational institutions encounter in the face of fostering such a vital skill, what, according to you, are some of the strategies and steps one can take to prepare young people to engage in difficult conversations and learn ways to develop a healthy attitude of acceptance and tolerance in our diverse societies? What can educational institutions do to build confidence in their communities to foster such skills?
Share your thoughts and experiences with your global peers in the comments below or join the conversation on the Global Citizenship Foundation’s Educational Leadership Community, exclusively dedicated to educators worldwide. If you haven’t signed up yet, please get in touch with us here.
With this carefully-curated edition of Transform.Ed Briefing, you can explore featured articles, stay informed about latest education policies, participate in our weekly poll, discover global events, indulge in a recommended movie, enhance your skills with professional development opportunities, enrich your knowledge with our book recommendations and stay on top of finding exciting job opportunities!
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In service of education and visionary education leaders,
— Aaryan Salman
Director-General
Global Citizenship Foundation
Pathways to Mainstream and Advance the Concept of Global Citizenship Education in the Arab World
By Dr. Amani G Jarrar | .ed Magazine
Encouraging Student Dissent in the Classroom
By Mike Miller | Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Effective Instructional Practice: Facilitating Constructive Dissent
By National Communication Association
Oct 26: Preventing Bullying and Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth
(Free Entry) This is an Online Event hosted by CDC Veto Violence
(Free Entry) This is an Online Event hosted by OECD
Oct 27: Strategies for Enhancing Student Engagement
(Free Entry) This is an Online Event hosted by Edweek
This gripping documentary portrays a generation of passionate Hong Kong activists striving for democracy. It follows Joshua Wong's efforts to prevent the introduction of National Education and Ma Jai's fight against political oppression.
Think Again: How to Understand Arguments
By Duke University (via Coursera )
Tolerance and Dissent within Education: On Cultivating Debate and Understanding
By Nuraan Davids, Yusef Waghid
🇺🇲 Learning Support Assistant, Les Quennevais School, Jersey (Deadline: 24 Oct 2023)
🇵🇸 School Quality Assurance Coordinator, United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Hebron (Deadline: 26 Oct 2023)
🇦🇺 Chief Education Officer, Aboriginal Education, NSW Education Standards Authority, Sydney (Deadline: 29 Oct 2023)
🇨🇭 Character Education Administrative Assistant, Aiglon College, Switzerland (Deadline: 03 Nov 2023)
🇦🇺 Junior School Teacher, The Armidale School, Tamworth (Deadline: 04 Nov 2023)
🇦🇪 Teacher of English, Gems Wellington Academy, Al Khail (Deadline: 31 Dec 2023)
🇮🇳 Head - Study Abroad Program, Edumilestones, Bengaluru (Deadline: Open Until Filled)
🇺🇲 Assistant or Associate Professor of Special Education, Houghton University, Houghton (Deadline: Open Until Filled)
🇰🇪 Business Teacher, Juja Preparatory and Senior Schools, Juja (Deadline: Open Until Filled)
🇪🇬 Education Counsellor, IDP Education Limited (UK & Ireland),Jiddah (Deadline: Open Until Filled)
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The Global Citizenship Foundation is a leading specialist international organization based in South Asia (NCR Delhi, India) and the European Union (Tallinn, Estonia). Its principal mandate is to realize the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 4 and Target 4.7 (Education for Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development). Since 2016, the GCF has impacted education in 70+ countries, striving to transform education for human and planetary flourishing.
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