Transformative education

Helping to shape change

How can educational programs initiate participatory, transformative learning processes that empower people to help shape a sustainable future? This is where the concept of transformative education comes in at the interface with education for sustainable development (ESD). Transformative education promotes individual skills that enable learners to recognize the complex relationships between the ecological, economic, social and cultural dimensions of (non-)sustainable development in the One World and to work on holistic solutions for current and future problems in the sense of a good life for all. Our educational programs are not just about imparting knowledge. After all, it has been proven that knowledge alone does not automatically lead to sustainable action. We want to empower and motivate people to understand connections and power structures, to critically question previous assumptions, their own privileges, positioning and views of the world, to get to know opportunities for participation and influence “with hand and heart” in the context of a socio-ecological transformation, to get involved and to feel: “I can make a difference!”

However, individuals often come up against structures that can ultimately only be effectively changed politically, especially when campaigning for more environmental and climate protection. It is therefore important to us to also understand ESD as a political learning process. We want to use synergies between ESD and political education and thereby strengthen systemic thinking and collective (sustainable) action that promotes democracy, over and above individual action.

The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an important thematic framework for this. It is crucial that the topics covered are linked to the needs and living environments of the learners and that they play a key role in determining them. The everyday relevance of topics such as energy use, nutrition, mobility or living can link existing knowledge with new skills, which in turn increases motivation and learning success.

But what does that mean in concrete terms?

UfU’s educational programs are always designed in such a way that difficult and complex topics are illustrated using clear examples. Contexts are made comprehensible and one’s own role and options for action in these contexts are discussed.

For example, in the FABIKLI project (façade greening and biomass utilization for climate protection in schools): When the plants grow up your own school façade and you plant or harvest them yourself, it is easier to talk about the hot summer in Berlin and learn more about the urban climate and climate change. How can the plants be watered without tap water? What does drought stress mean for the façade plants at our school and what are the effects of the climate crisis in countries that are already much more affected by drought than Germany? Is there anything I can do myself to contribute to a fairer world?

The hands-on exhibition allows 5th and 6th graders to experiment with various learning stations on the topic of the energy transition, while the online simulation game “Wind over Wintow” raises awareness among students from year 7 onwards that political decisions (in this case the construction of a wind farm) must always take into account and reconcile several interests in order to be effective.

In the RevierUPGRADE project, we at UfU are working with BUNDjugend to create a range of educational and participatory offerings on the topic of structural change – from outreach activities involving cargo bikes, workshops and excursions to places of sustainable change to a coaching program to train people who are already active. Active experiences of alternatives beyond the status quo and the reinforcement that each person has skills that can be used to bring about sustainable structural change – and at the same time to improve their own immediate living environment – are key.