Latin America: Putting education at the heart of social transformation
About 700 teachers came together at EI’s Latin America Regional conference entitled Towards a Latin American Pedagogical Movement, taking place from 19-21 September in Recife, Brazil. Over the three days, educators and trade unionists from 18 countries are debating new educational proposals and sharing their vision of a transformative public education that is fundamental to authentic democracy.
The new pedagogical movement is emerging as educators begin to take the lead in building an alternative model to the one imposed by neoliberalism across Latin America. After a successful founding conference in Bogota, Colombia, in 2011, this second meeting aims to build capacity to strengthen and consolidate the process within the region.
Latin American pedagogical movement, a quality leap Hugo Yasky, President of EI’s Latin America Regional Committee, gave a vibrant speech at the opening plenary. He emphasised the deep commitment of Latin American teachers to building a process of social transformation through education.
"We want to be teachers like Paulo Freire was. We want our teaching to be a political act of defiance, of rebellion”, Yasky stated. “We want a public school system that fosters active citizenship, a school that is involved in social struggles, a school that reflects upon and reconsiders the history of the Latin America peoples."
From regional to international
In her opening address, EI’s Deputy General Secretary Haldis Holst brought a message of solidarity and respect from the worldwide education movement.
“Please know that your brothers and sisters in Education International across the globe are aware of your work, and so are those who oppose teachers like you who are fighting for universal access to quality education,” Holst said.
Holst took the opportunity to present EI’s global campaign Unite for Education to be launched on 4th October, in advance of World Teachers’ Day. She invited participants to join forces and mobilise with educators worldwide in a global call for quality public education for all.
“We have a great opportunity to go beyond ambitious, to be audacious, to recognise that working together, we have the power to change the world. I’m here to say with all my heart, the teachers of the world are more than ready.”
Building democratic schools
A keynote speaker was Emir Sader, an eminent Brazilian educator, sociologist, co-founder of the World Social Forum and a key advocate of the participatory democracy movement. He emphasised the need to open up the political process to enable greater involvement of youth. Sader said public schools must offer students a liberating education, one that frees them to engage fully in their societies and adapt to a rapidly-changing world.
In the internet age, students have access to unlimited information but educators must awaken within them with the critical thinking skills to interpret it and find meaning. For that reason, young people also need social and political awareness.
“We are losing the younger generations to consumerism and deep apathy towards political engagement," Sader stated.
Paulo Freire, model of inspiration
On 19 September, participants joined the local community in a tribute to legendary Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, founder of the critical pedagogy movement. A bronze statue by local artist Abelardo da Horawas unveiled at the Federal University of Recife, in his native province of Pernambuco. The ceremony took place on the 92nd anniversary of Freire’s birth.
Roberto Leão, President of Brazilian affiliate CNTE, recalled that 2013 marks 50 years since Freire made history in Angicos, Rio Grande do Norte, when he taught 300 illiterate workers to read in 40 hours. This was the breakthrough moment for the Paulo Freire method, a revolutionary literacy program that changed the lives of thousands of Brazilians.
"He put in place a new method of adult literacy for marginalised groups, offering them a simple, rather than a mechanical, way of learning, a method that enabled them to liberate themselves in many ways”, explained Leão. “Freire did not simply train his students but also helped them to become people capable of managing their own destinies."
