2025 Wallace Foundation Distinguished Lecture: “Education for Flourishing: Building Initiatives and Partnerships for More Just and Sustainable Futures”

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Today’s education systems are governed by logics of scarcity and rooted in histories of exclusion and erasure. But what if education systems were organized around a logic of abundance and a commitment to the values of compassion and dignity? In this talk, Penuel develops the idea that education systems can be organized for flourishing, that is, based on relationships grounded in our common humanity and an appreciation for our dependence on the gifts of our planet for sustaining life. Such education systems would be organized around an expansive view of learning that weaves together different knowledge systems and disciplines and engages people in building new knowledge and practice for just and sustainable futures. In this talk, Penuel explores how three teams are working toward building systems for flourishing within three strands of work at the Renée Crown Wellness Institute at the University of Colorado–Boulder to engage young people in culturally relevant learning opportunities, strengthen families’ meaningful connections to schools, and nurture compassionate educators. He concludes by discussing the need for partnerships that nurture this kind of work and attend to power and history, to bring about educational systems that promote flourishing.

Sub Unit

• AERA Sessions

Chair

• Janelle T. Scott, University of California - Berkeley

Presenter

• William R. Penuel, University of Colorado - Boulder