Conference and Roundtable: What Kind of Education to Change the World? Thursday, June 4 - Enfants du monde Conference and Roundtable: What Kind of Education to Change the World? Thursday, June 4 - Enfants du monde
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Conference and Roundtable: What Kind of Education to Change the World? Thursday, June 4

Enfants du Monde and the University of Geneva, with financial support from the Swiss National Science Foundation (Project DEGESUD–Décentrer les sciences de l’enfance), are organizing a day of reflection and exchange on the theme: What Kind of Education to Change the World? Historical and contemporary perspectives.

An event bringing together professionals from education, social sector, international cooperation and philanthropy to explore pedagogies that transform lives.

Programme

2:15–4:30 pm – Conference: Geneva, a laboratory for pedagogical innovation

Geneva has long played a key role in the development and dissemination of educational models beyond Switzerland. From the 1960s onwards, scholars increasingly theorized the links between pedagogy, emancipation, and development. This conference presents a historical and critical analysis of these emancipatory approaches, grounded in archival research—including the Enfants du Monde archives—and informed by lessons learned from the field.

Conference speakers
  • Nicolas Hafner (Graduate Institute), (Re)Politicise Development: The Geneva Africa Institute, Development Studies and Third World Solidarity
  • Mélanie Toulhoat (University of Lisbon-University of Geneva), Paulo Freire et l’Institut d’action culturelle : alphabétisation, circulations et réinventions depuis Genève (1971-1980)
  • Bernard Schneuwly (University of Geneva) et Edivanda Mugrabi (Graines de Paix), La « pédagogie du texte » : histoire d’une approche pédagogique dans les pays du Sud (1990-2020)
  • Rufine Sama (Enfants du Monde), De la théorie à la pratique : les programmes d’éducation d’Enfants du monde en Afrique et en Amérique latine
Lucien Agasse
5:30-6:45 pm – Roundtable: Which pedagogies improve opportunities for the most marginalized in Switzerland and beyond?

In the face of persistent socio-economic inequalities, which pedagogical approaches can concretely foster academic success, employability, and lasting improvements in living conditions? Drawing on experiences from Switzerland and Chad, the discussion will bring together academic research and field practice to examine pedagogies that support students’ progress, the conditions required for their sustainability, and the role of civil society, institutional, and philanthropic actors in strengthening education systems.

6:45 pm – Networking aperitif: an opportunity to meet with the speakers and exchange ideas.
Roundtable speakers
  • Welcome remarks: Alfonso Gomez – Mayor of Geneva
  • Damiano Matasci – Education Historian, Université de Genève
  • Rufine Sama – Pedagogical Director Sahel, Enfants du Monde
  • Albana Krasniqi Malaj – Director, University of Cultures of Geneva (UPA) and member of the Geneva Collective for Adult Basic Education (C9FBA)
  • Béatrice Malebranche – Project Officer, International Bureau of Education, UNESCO
Jacques Erard

Informations pratiques

  • Date and time: Thursday, June 4, 2026
    Conference: 2:15–4:30 pm
    Roundtable: 5:30–6:45 pm
  • Venue: Uni Mail, room MR160 (ground floor)
  • Both events can be attended online.

Please register by May 27 to attend either in person or via Zoom (you may register for both events or just one).

Register
We would like to thank the ArchiLab experts at the HEG Genève for making access to the historical archives of Enfants du Monde possible.

 

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