Turn it Around! Socially Engaged Youth Art for Education Futures

• In Event: Relational Approaches to Prefiguring Learning Futures

Proposal

Humanity is facing a critical juncture due to the near irreversible tipping points of the climate crisis, with education playing a direct role in this crisis and in the failure to envision alternative solutions (Common Worlds Research Collective, 2020). Despite efforts to promote education as a means to achieve sustainable lifestyles, educational systems continue to emphasize human exceptionalism and nature exploitation over environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, youth are acutely aware of the precarious environmental situation and their uncertain future, and are pushing for a radical transformation of education and environmental policies (Komatsu et al., 2020).

This presentation highlights a global participatory art project and climate initiative that amplified the voices of young artists and activists in reimagining the role of education in shaping sustainable and ecologically just futures. Visual artworks, poetry, essays and many other artistic expressions were printed on a deck of flashcards "Turn It Around! Flashcards for Education Futures" as well as featured online as an ongoing youth movement. The aim was to mobilize youth perspectives through various means – from policy reports to public protests and advocacy, to foster debate within and beyond educational settings, and prompt action from policymakers.

Youth’s involvement with Turn it Around! revealed their understanding of knowledge as intertwined with personal and collective identities, as well as the interconnectedness of learning across time and between humans, their environment, technology, and ancestral knowledges. Emphasizing the significance of these knowledges for achieving equity, climate justice, and overall survival, youth activists protested for the inclusion of ontologies that promote living with the Earth in educational systems.

Youth activists involved with Turn it Around! project have protested virtually through social media posts, comments and live streams. Turn it Around! cards were also distributed to policymakers and educators in global events such as UNESCO Transforming education summit, global marches, sit-ins and demonstrations, as well as academic gatherings. These public engagement methods served as powerful tools for mobilizing policymakers and the broader public for climate action.

Various perspectives from youth’s art and text in the flashcards were discussed at these demonstrations, where the use of the Turn It Around! cards helped interrupt the typical binary of audience/presenter. In these moments, youth went beyond showcasing their art, taking the stand and speaking directly to policymakers, academics and national representatives. Turn it Around! art came to life in the hands of youth activists demonstrating how education and policy can learn by listening to perspectives that may not otherwise be heard (Common Worlds Research Collective, 2020, p. 6). Youth activists leveraged their artistic voices to build momentum as policy actors and demanded more inclusive and interconnected understandings of sustainability in and across institutions (Eide & Kunelius, 2021).

In conclusion, youth art and activism can be a powerful connection between scientific knowledge, policy making and the creation of new futures. By centering youth voices and embracing multiple ways of knowing and being, educational systems may be better equipped to address the climate crisis and foster a more harmonious relationship between humans and the environment.

Authors

• Esther Pretti, Arizona State University

• Ann Nielsen, National Institute for Excellence in Teaching

• Iveta Silova, Arizona State University

• Dilraba Anayatova, Arizona State University

• Elizabeth Quigley, Arizona State University