What is utopian pedagogy?

A 10-point manifesto:

Utopian pedagogy is:

(1)    Critical - we need to strengthen critical consciousness to enable us to reflect about our (mis)conceptions and strengthen the ability to reflect about systems of inequality, discrimination and the abuse of our planet, and in doing so take responsibility for combating them;

(2)    Open - utopian pedagogy is for everyone, be they left- or right-wing, liberal, scholar, cleaner, lawyer, gardener.  We can only create better societies through involving everyone and supporting them in finding answers.  As a consequence, utopian pedagogues can assist with asking the questions, but not with providing closed answers.

(3)    Abstract - issues like climate change and nationalist authoritarianism require an improved competence to deal with complex and nuanced themes and models;

(4)    Personal - complex issues require self-reflection to see how societal structures influence our inner life.  Examining our biography and its link to the diverse identities we have enables us to understand who we are and what we want to be;

(5)    Trusting  - all people can be creative, intelligent, aware, conscious and analytic.  Utopian pedagogy is about helping people to develop their own ideas and thoughts.

(6)    Transformational -  we don’t have to stay as we are, rather utopian pedagogy aims at making futures possible beyond our wildest dreams;

(7)    Challenging - it’s only out of the comfort zone that necessary change can happen and this can bring insecurity.  Utopian pedagogy builds resilience to deal with that insecurity;

(8)    Irrational - critical consciousness is only one part of utopian pedagogy as our cognitive functions are only part of the story.  Our emotions, dreams, unconscious and contradictions are all part of creating better futures and utopian pedagogy uses them;

(9)    Holistic -  creating futures involves our bodies, spirit and minds.  Physical activities and breath exercises are not just good for self-reflection but also for emancipating our abilities and sense of possibility;

(10) Diverse -  creating ideas needs people from all manner of field to come together to share our competences and achieve synergy.

View background picture (the Orion Nebula)  at EarthSky Community Photos. | Scott MacNeill at Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown,