Educating for a Good Society:
A national conversation
The Educating for a Good Society project sought to stimulate discussion about the fundamental values found in a 'good society' and their implications for educating our children. The project aimed to facilitate the process of standing back and considering what we are educating towards and why. The project addressed the three questions:
- What is a good society?
- Why do we educate?
- How and what should we be teaching in order to achieve a good society?
Concerns had been raised as to whether the current education system copes with the demands placed upon it in these complex times. Issues raised included:
- Is it meeting the individual needs of young people from diverse backgrounds, capabilities and learning styles?
- Is it developing the skills essential for navigating changing workplace and social environments?
- Are current approaches to education those best suited to fostering a truly human and democratic community, both in Australia and around the globe?
The conversation opened in Sydney, Australia in early 2000 with a series of focus groups addressing the primary three questions. A discussion paper was produced which summarised the focus groups and provided the stimulus for a national conversation.
In April 2001 the symposium Educating for a Good Society: a national conversation continued the dialogue. A number of inspiring speakers participated in the symposium. Attendees identified the values they considered to be fundamental to a 'good society', followed by a discussion about how each value might be defined, taught and incorporated throughout the education system.
Discussion paper
Download the discussion paper from this project (PDF).
This paper reflects the views of the various stakeholders who participated in the focus groups.
Symposium proceedings
Download the symposium proceedings from this project (PDF).
This document contains the proceedings of the Educating for a Good Society symposium held in April 2001