citizenship
How to cultivate the Finnish learning concept of ‘sivistys’
In Finland, 2024 marks the year of 'sivistys', a wide-ranging concept that encompasses education, a broad base of knowledge, and much more. We ask two of Finland’s leading thinkers, Kristiina Brunila and Sixten Korkman, to elaborate.
Adult education and civil society organisations: Learning spaces in times of democratic turbulence
Nils-Eyk Zimmermann, in his column, argues that adult education addressing civic competence and active citizenship should be better supported. According to him, civil society organizations play a key role in bringing about social change and solving problems in societies.
Making health literacy everyone’s business: How Ireland got adult and health literacy on the government agenda
Helen Ryan, in her column, tells how a crucial strategy by the new government played a vital role in prioritising health literacy on the national agenda in Ireland. According to her, the most successful way to promote health literacy issues among health professionals was by telling about people’s lived experience. Data and statistics were important, but it was the human stories that resonated the most.
Ukraine: Overcoming the war with adult education
Adult education institutions in Ukraine have chosen to continue their fundamental educational tasks, even under the extreme conditions of war. “They face the challenge of maintaining regular teaching activities but also ensuring that protective measures are in place for learners and staff,” says Tetyana Hoggan-Kloubert from the University of Augsburg in Germany in her interview with ELM Magazine.
Nordic view: Peace as a prerequisite to gender equality and human rights
Polarisation is an obstacle to peace and equality, but lifelong learning can play a key role in reducing it, says Prof. Ólafur Páll Jónsson of the University of Iceland’s School of Education.
How the future of civic education could shape the course of democracy in Europe
Civic education is an educational sector that faces great expectations, such as strengthening democratic engagement, but that has scarce resources, says Louisa Slavkova. She is a political scientist specialised in democracy development and civic education.
Ambition and hope: Keys to our sustainable future
Living a greener life may require small changes, but they can have a big effect. The text is an editorial written for issue 3/2023 on Sustainable Future.
Dina Soeiro: “Older learners are neglected”
Our “Meet the board” series introduces the members of ELM magazine’s editorial board. Our newest member, Dina Soeiro, stands for the right to education for all, regardless of age, background or personal circumstances.
Interview with Arjen Wals: A pedagogy of hope for a greener world
New ways of teaching such as transgressive learning can lead to real change, says thought leader Arjen Wals, professor of transformative learning for socio-ecological sustainability.
Grassroots initiatives: Making it to the future
Wojciech Matejko answers three quick questions on the community Open Jazdów in Warsaw, Poland. The community supports people’s initiatives for social, cultural and ecological sustainability. Sometimes re-imagining the future requires looking back to the past.
