Nonviolence in Education for Social Justice

Social justice is today increasingly undermined by inequalities, conflicts, climate change and economic crises. Within this context of polycrises, education could be a democratic tool for social emancipation and improvement of life chances. But education can take on different meanings by virtue of the symbolic universes that fuel it by attributing specific purposes to the educational action. This panel intends to explore the close link between education and nonviolence (Capitini, 1967-68; Muller, 2002; Falcicchio, 2022). The emphasis on competition and individualism has repercussions in social life. Solidarity, cooperation, community are placed on the margins. Nonviolence is a concrete possibility of achieving coexistence with others, making peace among humans and with the planet (Langer, 2005). Listening, dialogue and mutual understanding temper opposing fundamentalisms, stereotypes and prejudicial closures. In our relationship with others, we can get involved or close ourselves into defensive approaches fostering polarization or doing something else to break the circle of violence. Governance disposals in education tend to separate deserving and undeserving minors, to be rewarded or punished, ending up reproducing educational inequalities and recognizing rights to some while depriving others of opportunities and trust. Surveillance and punish or educate about rights, freedom, nonviolence? Freedom does not have the same meaning for all men if to have rights it is necessary to be strong (Resta, 1996; Rodotà, 2013).