Who are we?
The Education for The Great Turning (EFGT) movement took off in 2014 as a response to the the rapid deterioration of our environmental and social systems worldwide. Inspired by revered elder, Joanna Macy's, description of a transition from an industrial-based society to a life-sustaining community, a network of like-minded educators, activists, farmers, and other changemakers was formed. In examining the structural causes and potential solutions to the epic catastrophes that the human race was facing, it became clear that our education system at the time was both: a crisis and an opportunity.
Since the industrial age began, the role of schooling was to prepare our youth to become part of the global workforce. By the time of this movement's founding, it was glaringly obvious that this aim was inseparable from the form of capitalism which was at the root of many of the planet's most devastating problems. In fact, in most high schools it was the only type of economics that was taught for decades--as though there were no alternatives! |
Additionally, the school environment was becoming increasingly toxic to young people--literally (especially in low income areas) and figuratively as was seen with the high rates of apathy and disillusionment.
As a result of top-down policies that emphasized test scores over wisdom and skill building, classroom topics were narrowed down dramatically. Teachers no longer had the time to teach what they were passionate about. Topics that strengthened our students' problem solving, group work, peacemaking, and other skills were taken out of the curriculum because they could not be standardized or tested.
This is just a start to a list of problems facing school systems at that time and as the effects of climate change became more dangerous and ecological systems were collapsing at an alarming rate, we knew it was a short time before the economic system would go under, as well.
Unfortunately, very little of this was being addressed in the classroom. Even as the frequency of super storms skyrocketed and the financial crisis of 2008 exposed the shortcomings of corporate capitalism, mainstream America was convinced to continue on with business as usual--in and out of our schools. Many young people across the world were waking up to the trouble around them, but the vast majority described feeling completely unequipped to face the future with resilience.
As a result of top-down policies that emphasized test scores over wisdom and skill building, classroom topics were narrowed down dramatically. Teachers no longer had the time to teach what they were passionate about. Topics that strengthened our students' problem solving, group work, peacemaking, and other skills were taken out of the curriculum because they could not be standardized or tested.
This is just a start to a list of problems facing school systems at that time and as the effects of climate change became more dangerous and ecological systems were collapsing at an alarming rate, we knew it was a short time before the economic system would go under, as well.
Unfortunately, very little of this was being addressed in the classroom. Even as the frequency of super storms skyrocketed and the financial crisis of 2008 exposed the shortcomings of corporate capitalism, mainstream America was convinced to continue on with business as usual--in and out of our schools. Many young people across the world were waking up to the trouble around them, but the vast majority described feeling completely unequipped to face the future with resilience.
Conversations that matter
The Education for The Great Turning Network emerged through connections made online, as well as through permaculture convergences, Work That Reconnects workshops, and education conferences worldwide.
EFGT began as and remains to be a leaderless movement dedicated to horizontal decision making and the principles of social permaculture. The values, vision, and mission (which are in constant evolution) were all created over a 2 year process that included the use of Open Space Technology, Social Labs, and World Cafe' style conversations. A core value to the EFGT movement is commitment to localized solutions and diverse approaches through welcoming all voices at the decision making table.
EFGT began as and remains to be a leaderless movement dedicated to horizontal decision making and the principles of social permaculture. The values, vision, and mission (which are in constant evolution) were all created over a 2 year process that included the use of Open Space Technology, Social Labs, and World Cafe' style conversations. A core value to the EFGT movement is commitment to localized solutions and diverse approaches through welcoming all voices at the decision making table.
The following questions were at the heart of the process in 2014 at the 1st international gathering of The Education for The Great Turning Network:
- How can we leverage the education system to empower our youth to face the imminent crises and take advantage of the global opportunities that are a part of this unique point in history?
- What does education at the intersection of ecology, economics, and social justice look like at a high school level? What are the methodologies and pedagogies at the forefront of this movement?
- What does education in a post-petroleum society look like? What skills, knowledge, and values are the most important to impart in this age of transition?
- How can we bridge “old ways” of learning into the new paradigm? What does meaningful intergenerational mentorship look like within a learning community? How can rites of passage be integrated into this setting? What is the role of nature connection throughout this theme?
- What skills, knowledge, and values are essential to learn, unlearn, and re-learn today? How can we nurture each human being to become co-creators of their own culture and collaborators in sculpting a new sense of meaning?
- What are the teaching tools that help youth to develop capacities for resilience, creativity, innovation, optimism, and courage?
In an ongoing conversation that utilizes the collective genius of dedicated international changemakers, a framework for education that is relevant to the anthropocene age was created.
Fifty years later...
In 2012, when a Woolman Semester student wrote out these sweet visions (to the left) for a more just and sustainable future, nobody knew with certainty how many of these ideas would manifest.
We have just turned the corner of the middle of the century. It is now 2050 and while the consequences of The Great Unraveling continue to be felt worldwide, we have truly come so far as a global community. The tipping point that so many people had been working towards has come and we are seeing tangible fruits of our (and our ancestors') actions. Business as Usual has been disrupted and eco-consciousness has returned as the norm for guiding our relationships with the natural world.
The efforts of a great many social movements have contributed to this, but the contributions of the Education for The Great Turning network have been internationally recognized.
We have just turned the corner of the middle of the century. It is now 2050 and while the consequences of The Great Unraveling continue to be felt worldwide, we have truly come so far as a global community. The tipping point that so many people had been working towards has come and we are seeing tangible fruits of our (and our ancestors') actions. Business as Usual has been disrupted and eco-consciousness has returned as the norm for guiding our relationships with the natural world.
The efforts of a great many social movements have contributed to this, but the contributions of the Education for The Great Turning network have been internationally recognized.
- In 2019, EFGT received the first of 5 International Awards for Excellence in Sustainability (also earned in 2025, 2032, 2041, 2044)
- Just 10 years after the founding of the network, EFGT had nearly 500 learning community members, thus reaching nearly 1,000,000 youth a year worldwide.
- In 2030, Regeneration alumni, Sada Jane Nolan, became the first U.S. President born out of the EFGT movement. Alumni from Ghana, Germany, Iceland, and New Zealand were soon to follow.
- By 2034, our programs, having been proven to be effective in creating resilient, empowered community members on the global stage, were embraced by the Board of Education. Over the next 5 years, all public schools in the U.S. (with an enormous amount of training and support) began the thoughtful and transformative process of transitioning to an Education for The Great Turning curriculum. Following in the footsteps of the EFGT network, each community begins with with ongoing World Cafe style conversations and decides together how they want education to be. Throughout the process, youth maintain a powerful voice in the decisions.
Looking towards the future...
The year 2064 will mark the 50th anniversary of the cross pollination of ideas and values on the topic of the purpose of education.
EFGT would love to welcome anyone who is interested to join us for the Education for The Great Turning International Convergence! Come join in our temporary village and education think tank at The Woolman Semester School campus, for 5 days starting on 9/15/2054. This event will serve as celebration for all of our successes, profound dialogue about our shortcomings and work ahead, and opportunity to deepen our connections with fellow changemakers in the movement. Stay tuned to hear more about how to join us virtually, as well as ride share via sailboat and solar powered school bus. |