New publication on Education for Social Change released

DERC held a launch event for the book in February 2022 that saw more than 120 global education professionals gather online for a discussion around the themes of ‘Education for Social Change: Perspectives on Global Learning’.

The book, published by Bloomsbury, outlines the ways in which the term ‘Education for Social Change’ has been seen historically, and how it is now recognised with regard to current debates around responses to climate change for example. It includes chapters on the relationship of education to democracy, socialism and liberation, suggests a distinctive pedagogy for global social justice and shows from evidence and case studies what social change means for teachers, academics, youth workers and civil society organisations.

The book is not aimed just at academics. It is written in an accessible form, highlighting not only research and examples of good practice, but also posing questions for debate and discussion by educationalists of all ages and backgrounds. It aims to remind all engaged in the educational world that education has a social purpose and that it can play a major role in contributing to a more just and sustainable future.

Professor Tania Ramalho (State University of New York) was one of the commentators present at the launch event. She said: “The book maps a field relevant to global learning, making us realise, once more, that we are not and have not been alone in our thoughts and actions to bring about what Freire, concerned both with aesthetics and ethics, called a “less ugly” world.”

Event Chair Liam Wegimont (Global Education Network Europe) stated that it is “a book not just about important pedagogical ideas, but also about the people’s movements and organisations from whence they have emerged, and the potential for change by which ideas and people converge, and the cracks and fissures in systems and the potential sectors through which and with which change towards greater justice, local and global, may be achieved”.

Links

• Watch an edited video of the launch event
• You can find out more about the book, and purchase a copy, here.
• View Professor Douglas Bourn's research profile
• Q&A with Professor Douglas Bourn
• Development Education Research Centre
• Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment