Une génération pourrait suffire

"une seule génération formée aux enjeux de la planète... Une seule génération volontaire pour changer le monde... Le temps d'une génération pourrait suffire à bâtir les grandes réponses dont ce monde a besoin. Une génération... Celle de nos enfants si nous les aidons à libérer leurs audaces*."

Laurent de Cherisey, Recherche volontaire pour changer le monde, chapitre "Il n'y a pas d'âge pour commencer!".

* allusion au Canadien Craig Kielburger, qui, à l'âge de 12 ans, a lancé avec ses camarades de classe l'association "Free the Children" pour lutter contre l'esclavage des enfants "ouvriers" dans le monde, organisation devenue internationale et qui a permi la construction de nombreuses écoles dans des pays en dévelopement.

Conclusion: sensibilisons nos enfants aux enjeux du XXIème siècle, et encourageons-les s'ils veulent agir!

What is education for ?

"Is education to be a "passport to privilege" or is it something which people take upon themselves almost like a monastic vow, a sacred obligation to serve the people ?"

E. F. Schumacher, Small is beautiful.

The whole man

"Education can help us only if it produces "whole men". The truly educated man is not a man who knows a bit of everything, not even the man who knows all the details of all subjects (if such a thing were possible) : the "whole man", in fact, may have little detailed knowledge of facts and theories, he may treasure the Encyclopaedia Britannica because "she knows and he needn't", but he will be truly in touch with the centre. He will not be in doubt about his basic convictions, about his view on the meaning and purpose of his life. He may not be able to explain these matters in words, but the conduct of his life will show a certain sureness of touch which stems from his inner clarity."

E. F. Schumacher, Small is beautiful.

On education

"The task of education would be, first and foremost, the transmission of ideas of value, of what to do with our lives. There is no doubt also the need to transmit know-how but this must take second place, for it is obviously somewhat foolhardy to put great power into the hands of people without making sure that they have a reasonable idea of what to do with them. At present, there can be little doubt that the whole of mankind is in mortal danger, not because we are short of scientific and technological know-how, but because we tend to use it destructively, without wisdom. More education can help us only if it produces more wisdom."

E. F. Schumacher, Small is beautiful.