Campus Encounters 2011Porvoo, Finland

Dr Alan BruceUniversal Learning SystemsDublin14 April 2011

1. Setting the Scene

Impact of change Peripheral development in Europe Globalization Learning and community Learning and civil strife Conflict transformation and N. Ireland Dimensions of innovation Competence and creativity in a multicultural Europe

Initial questions

Learning in chaos: where are we? End of history or start of the unknown? Hidden lives, silent voices: secret

communities? Fractured identities: who are we? Values and vision: why do we need

sustainable development?

Antonio Gramsci

The old world is dying.

The new world struggles to be born.

Now is the time of monsters.

2. Impact of change

Patterns of constant transformation Permanent migration and mobility Flexible structures and modalities Outsourcing and end of job norms Knowledge economy Structural inequalities

Framework of change

Globalization Stratification Labor market upheaval Rights and inclusion Access, quality and innovation in

education

Globalized imperatives

Urbanized futures Permanent exclusion and inequality Invisible otherness Trajectories of developmental progress Embedded violence

The periphery hits back

Spectres at the gates Searching for meaning Searching for values Lampedusa to London: the trek of

despair Learning systems and critical reflection Asserting identity: from gästarbeiter to

citizen

Urban nightmares?

3. Learning innovation and community Commodification of knowledge Impact on education systems (Freire,

Illich, Field) Impact on work (Braverman, Haraszti,

Davis) Impact on community: alienation and

anomie

Innovation and creativity

Core of innovation: ability to assess critically and express freely

Fundamental: ability to ask questions that challenge existing relations

Innovation: re-examination of existing reality by posing viable alternatives

Learning and inclusive communities

Creating shared meaning in uncertain times

Providing support and inclusion Valuing difference as a critical

advantage Shaping futures not reacting to them

US perspectives

Constitutional rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

All men are created equal… but Final frontiers: integration and

assimilation Uncertain directions: from Abu Ghraib to

Guantanamo

European perspectives

Rights of man: liberty, equality, fraternity Thematic mythologies: social inclusion Hidden pasts: colonialism, fascism,

exterminism The Union in crisis

Common trajectories

Demographic changes: ageing and work Women and labor market participation Immigration Cultural and religious difference Urbanization Stress and conflict

4. N. Ireland: roots of conflict

History as nightmare

Divided identities Cultural difference Inequality and injustice Ethnic and religious conflict Partition of Ireland 1921 Constant rebellion: the Civil Rights

struggle and 1968 Europe’s long war: 1969-1994

The fractured island

The troubled nation

Attempting solutions

Peace process: 1990s Belfast Agreement 1998 Innovative politics: power sharing Policing Shared space Common language: divided identities Divided learning Prejudice, discrimination, sectarianism

Constructing shared learning Overcoming mistrust Emphasis on those who participated,

experienced, suffered Origins of Expac The Messines project Role of EU: Peace and Reconciliation

Program Role of US: learning exchange and IFI

5. Conflicts of Interest and RCN

Curriculum development Workshop based seminars DVD footage – multimedia Distance learning support Case studies Personal testimony: guest lecturers Conflict transformation training Mediation skills

Starting point…..2007

Engaging learners

Community uptake Republican groups Loyalist groups Interaction and conflict Addressing identity Comparative analysis Adult education methodology

Modules

Origins and nature of conflict Case study: Balkans Conflicts and human rights Case study: Spain Sectarianism and discrimination Case study: European Union Reconciliation and change Case study/practicum: South Africa

Methodology

Expert external testimony/witness Media and film Site visits Debate History and identity Shared learning projects Academic inputs Learning support and application

Apprentice Boys’ Hall: Derry

Learning outcomes

Mediation skills Approaching the other Understanding historic legacies Dialogue and acceptance Defining trust Creating shared learning and action Community action and sustainability

Belfast 2009

Teachers, Derry 2010

Learners

Community groups Teachers Ex-combatants Local government officials Mediators Ex-prisoners (political) Probation staff Adult educators

Rural Community Network Established 1991 Supporting rural communities in

transition Addressing equity and shared

engagement Programs and initiatives Dealing with legacies of violence

RCN key objectives/programs Social justice Self-determination Working and learning together Sustainable communities Participation Reflective practice

Rural Enabler Program

Dealing with sectarianism, racism and division in rural communities

Established 2010 Shared learning initiatives Cooperative enterprises Addressing exclusion and fear Accessing quality learning

Developing linkage: Greece

Developing linkage: school debates

Embedding learning

Accreditation: QUB 2011 European application: Balkans, UK Rights, diversity, community Conflict resolution methodologies Technology and e-learning Dealing with hatred and conflict Sustainable, innovative learning Future directions

Continuing threat: April 2011

Communities empowered Relevance Sustainability Cogency Academic depth User friendliness Progression and deepening From reconciliation to transformation Lessons for Europe

From hope to reality

Kiitos!

Dr. Alan Bruce

ULS Dublin

abruce@ulsystems.com