Ideas for Change: We for Us
Education Special
COVID 19 & The Essence of University Education — by Teun in The Netherlands
Good Will Hunting once famously said that there is nothing they teach at university that you can’t learn for some pocket change in late-fees at your local library. He was, of course, quite correct.
The Pigeon Tower — by Karim in Egypt
The Ivory Tower, or its literal counterpart the modern/colonial university, is terminally ill.
How about education reform? — by Afterlife in Belgium
Public discourse is marked by spotlight discussions on definitive issues, like climate change, inequality or digitisation. Naturally so. We humans can only consume as much information at once. There is nothing wrong with those discussions. In fact, we often avoid them for reasons like fear, greed or loss of power. Change of some kind, I guess.
All you wanted to know but were afraid to ask — Nevena in Serbia
Have you been scared?
I have been scared to death.
Have you been scared for me?
I have not been thinking about you much lately, to be honest.
Will the digital world make us more human? — by Katharina in Austria
From one day to the other, our lives have moved online. Even if lockdowns are loosening up everywhere, the digital is here to stay.
When — by Afterlife in Belgium
And when this ends we will emerge, shyly
and then all at once, dazed, longhaired as we embrace
loved ones the shadow spared, and weep for those
it gathered in its shroud.
On prosperity — by Michael in Finland
Prosperity is a fine term. It refers not only to material possessions or to an account balance, but to well-being. The natural world and the societies beside it should both be allowed to prosper.
Governing by avoiding responsibility — by Elisabeth in Poland
We all wish to ‘go back to normal’, however this new ‘normal’ might look like.
In Poland, as part of the process of ‘defrosting’ the economy, the government authorised the re-opening of educational institutions for the youngest.
Let science and facts reign — by George in France
Ending week 6 of lockdown in Paris has made me realize that the world’s opinion has underestimated how much our planet is tightly interwoven. Today over 7 billion of us yearn for the same.
Oceans — by Claudia in Austria
I have a feeling that my boat has struck, down there in the depths, against a great thing. And nothing happens! Nothing…Silence…Waves…
Let’s stop pretending — by Sandra in Belgium
For a while I’ve had the feeling that we’re living in an upside-down world. The things that should matter don’t, and those that shouldn’t do:
Living with the Corona virus in New York City — by Denise in the USA
I’ve lived a very long time, 80 years in fact. At no time in my life has there been such an event as that of the pandemic.
Changes I’d like to see — by Reagan in Belgium
I’d like to see worldwide universal healthcare. I’d like to see worldwide universal basic income. I’d like to see Julian Assange set free. I’d like to see Nudem Durak set free.
Something in between — by Luciano in Austria
A good man I met on the long way home from a place far away asked me about my thoughts and hopes for the future.