Education: A Tool to Make or Break Democracies

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

When Nelson Mandela said these famous words, he spoke of education as a tool to fight oppression. Indeed, we are used to thinking of education as a powerful means of promoting democracy and human rights. But it can also be a potent instrument for an authoritarian leader to oppress his population and stay in power.

The core question is, then, exactly what change does one wish to see in the world? Why is education so important for shaping a country’s future? And what impact does a government’s vision for the future have on the content and structure of education?

In this event, we compare and contrast educational reforms in Norway, Ukraine, Poland and Russia, seeking to understand how education can be used as a tool to build or tear down democracies, and why.

Speakers:
• Tonje Brenna, Norwegian Minister of Education
• Anna Novosad, Visiting Fellow, Vanderbilt University, and former Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine (2019-2020)
• Krzysztof Stanowski, Director of International Cooperation Center at Lublin City Office, Former Undersecretary of State at the Polish Ministry of National Education and Polish Foreign Ministry (2007-2011)
• Helene Skjeggestad, journalist in Aftenposten

Moderators:
• Ana Perona-Fjeldstad, Executive Director, The European Wergeland Centre
• Inga Bostad, Professor, University of Oslo, and Chair of Board, The European Wergeland Centre.

Welcome to the Human Rights Tent at Arendalsuka 2022!

Видео Education: A Tool to Make or Break Democracies канала The European Wergeland Centre (EWC)