Education for a shared humanity: Exploring diverse approaches to culturally responsive curricula and pedagogy

Session Submission Type: Group Panel

Description of Session

The common thread uniting the presenters on this panel is an examination of the distinct ways in which education can promote and cultivate learners’ experiences of shared humanity in the face of cultural differences, histories of violent conflict, and economic inequalities. The panel delves into a number of facets of education – from policies to pedagogies, curricula to assessment – in a range of diverse country contexts including the United States, Rwanda, Bosnia, Costa Rica, and Finland. Through these comparative perspectives that span the local to the global, the presenters offer both empirical analyses and applications of possible reform strategies designed to shift teaching and learning in positive humanistic directions towards reconciliation, peace-building, cross-cultural understanding, gender equality, and poverty alleviation.

Overall, the panel presenters seek to identify and discuss educational approaches to developing culturally responsive curricula and pedagogy in diverse social and political contexts. Through three distinct lenses, they address a common set of underlying questions: How can the global community learn from each other and promote a connection among humanity? How are culturally responsive curricular and pedagogical approaches used to address the needs of different students around the world? How can education contribute to greater human connection and wellbeing?

The theoretical frameworks of the research encompass a humanistic approach to education. This includes perspectives of peace education practices, Afro-centric theory, and strategies for poverty alleviation through education. Through these case studies, the panel is able to highlight the importance of comparative and international educational research and its contribution to a deeper understanding of the possibilities of these humanistic pedagogical approaches. Collectively, the cases offer important perspectives on the power of culturally responsive pedagogy and peace education to transform historical social conflicts through educational development. These studies also have broader implications for educational research and practice in the United States, Latin America, Africa, and Western and Eastern Europe. Ultimately, our goal is to discuss the intersecting theoretical, empirical, and practical issues in education that can lead to greater empowerment and awareness of our shared humanity, in the spirit of “Ubuntu!”

There will be three papers presented on the panel. The paper presentations will be followed by a brief discussion led by Dr. Meg Gardinier. We then hope to engage in a substantive interactive discussion with all participants and guests.

Sub Unit

• General Pool

Chair

• Wendy Rago, Florida International University

Individual Presentations

• Afrocentric Approaches for Culturally-Responsive Education in the United States: An important tool for reform - Wendy Rago, Florida International University

• Addressing memory and reconciliation through peace education: A comparative analysis of post-conflict educational policies in Rwanda and Bosnia - Victoria Vaccari, Florida International University

• Educational strategies to reduce poverty: A comparison of Finland and Costa Rica - Jimmy Aycart, Florida International University

• Linking cultural diversity and global humanist Education - Damien Mulinga Mbikyo, University of Rwanda, College of Education

Discussant

• Meg Gardinier, Florida International University