Education: Learning to Be

Now that so many new rules are imposed on our educational process. Now that we’ve suddenly seen that English is on the level with Spanish. Now that are being followed totally foreign recommendations to the Spanish educational system, which is in general very satisfactory thanks to the quality of our teachers. Now that they are concentrating more on mathematics more than on philosophy, and more on specific disciplines than those that foment creativity such as art and music. Now is the time to calmly discuss education.

And to affirm the essential importance of UNESCO’s founding text that, based on ethics and equal human dignity, proclaims that the goal of education is to create “free and responsible” people. These are the qualities that D. Francisco Giner de los Ríos proposed almost a century ago when he defined education as the capacity to “sensibly manage one’s own life”. And to act upon one’s own reflections and never upon the dictates of others or of anything.

And to re-read Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

And the text “Towards Lifelong Education for All” (UNESCO, 1990). And the “World Action Plan for Education in Human Rights and Democracy” (Montreal, 1993) and “Learning: The Treasure Within” (the report on “Education for the 21^st Century” issued by the task force presided by Jacques Delors, UNESCO, 1995). This excellent report underscores the four major pillars of learning:

·        Learning to Know

·        Learning to Do

·        Learning to Be

·        Learning to Live Together

And I would add “Learning to Innovate” and “Learning to Dare”. And above all, not to learn to have, but rather to be. And to be oneself to the fullest extent possible.

In higher education, the annual GUNI (Global University Network for Innovation) reports are truly excellent…

There’s no place here for biased short-term self-interested maneuvers. Addressing this crucial subject with much caution, the true cornerstone on which to build the future of our wide-eyed dreams, is an ethical necessity. Take this into account. Just remember the “future generations” mentioned in the United Nations Charter.

It’s the scientific risk premium that counts!

I believe it’s of interest to reproduce below a few paragraphs from a statement made recently by my son Federico, who is a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology:

“It seemed that with a critical mass of researchers and research centers we were going to be able to ‘catch the train’ of European science, but unfortunately this is now in danger: our scientific risk premium, our differential with other leading countries in the world, is once again on the rise.

This gap is widening, aggravated by the fact that these current times of global economic crisis (as well as a crisis of values, more relevant than ever) make it easier to relegate knowledge to a level of lesser importance.

Advanced societies must have the critical capacity to generate knowledge, transfer it to future generations and transform it into applications. This is essential if we are to face the future with certain guarantees of success.

It appears particularly appropriate at this time to remind society of the significant advances achieved in healthcare, diagnostics, genetics and new materials… gleaned from basic research. It’s clear that cutting-edge research plays a fundamental role in development and welfare.

It’s not only the task of scientists to call for support for research, but rather society and entrepreneurs should likewise demand that science be made a priority…

I must warn of the risk that the flight of so many young scientists to other countries entails. The opportunity to play a prominent role in science, attracting brilliant young people to scientific fields may be frustrated by the current budget cuts, restrictions and pessimism”.

I fully agree with these points of view. It’s the fifty-something generation that we should listen to, rather than our own.

Yes, the scientific risk premium is the one that really counts.

Real Democracy, Now!

I think this is the best banner carried by those belonging to the emerging but now unstoppable movement that, thanks to new information and communications technologies, will progressively promote their protests and proposals and, given the number of adherents that they will be capable of achieving, will truly influence the government’s decisions. Distance participation will undoubtedly strengthen democracy.

Democracy is the only context in which it is possible to envision a “new beginning”, a new world era in which governance will be rooted in justice, equality, liberty and solidarity, in summary, in the “democratic principles” so lucidly set forth in the UNESCO Constitution, instead of the markets and the great military, energy, financial and media domain, which through groups of plutocrats presently seeks to maintain its ambitions of domination that have already produced so many negative results.

Real Democracy, Now! It’s that clear. That’s what we have to strive for. A second draft of the Universal Declaration of Democracy has been released. In a few weeks a final draft will be ready, which we may all sign after receiving contributions that may be warranted for its improvement.

Real Democracy, Now! I hope this will be the great banner waved by all of those who from the Puerta de Sol to Cyberspace have filled the horizon with a desire for change.