Translating ubuntu to Spanish: Convivencia as a framework for re-centring education as a moral enterprise
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Abstract
In this essay, the author introduces the concept of “convivencia” (peaceful coexistence) as a framework for re-centring education as a moral enterprise. He discusses convivencia within the context of education and society in Colombia, paying special attention to the Colombian rural school model Escuela Nueva (New School). This discussion draws on both previous evidence and the author’s own research on the implementation of the Escuela Nueva model in urban areas of Colombia. He discusses several facets of convivencia and parallels with the ideas and ideals of ubuntu. Using convivencia as an organising principle, he presents insights for educational practitioners and researchers related to re-centring education as a moral enterprise.
Keywords
Ubuntu Peaceful interaction Escuela Nueva ConvivenciaResumé
Traduire l’ubuntu en espagnol : convivencia, un cadre pour recentrer l’éducation sur une entreprise morale – L’auteur de cet essai présente le concept de convivencia (coexistence pacifique) en tant que cadre permettant de recentrer l’éducation sur un projet moral. Il analyse ce concept dans le contexte de l’éducation et de la société en Colombie, en accordant une attention particulière au modèle colombien d’école rurale Escuela Nueva (École nouvelle). Cette analyse repose à la fois sur des données antérieures et sur le propre travail de recherche de l’auteur quant à la mise en œuvre du modèle Escuela Nueva dans les régions urbaines de Colombie. Il éclaire plusieurs facettes du cadre convivencia ainsi que des parallèles avec les notions et idéaux ubuntu. Prenant ce cadre comme principe directeur, il transmet à l’attention des praticiens et chercheurs en éducation des informations contribuant au dessein de recentrer l’éducation sur une entreprise morale.
Notes
Acknowledgment
The author received support for this research from a United States Fulbright Core Fellowship.
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