Page 31 - ICETD2019 Programme Book

International Conference on Education and Teacher Development

Keynote Abstracts

Keynote Address 1

The Most Important Demand Placed Upon All Education

Professor Stephen Dobson
Dean of the Faculty of Education
Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand)

Stephen.dobson@vuw.ac.nz

Abstract
“The most important demand placed upon all education is that Auschwitz [does]
not happen again.”

These are the words of philosopher and sociologist Theodor Adorno, a German
who gave a famous radio lecture in 1966. His point was that teaching knowledge and
skills means nothing if it results in pupils and later adults who undertake acts of
racism, violence, persecution and bullying. These actions do not contribute to
justice, social justice and social inclusion in the immediate or longer term.

In this presentation Professor Dobson will explore what this means for education
and teacher development as we come to terms with the recent terror attack in
Christchurch (New Zealand) and many other violent instances around the world.

He proposes a pedagogy of resentment informed by the Māori words tūpuna

(grandparent), mokopuna (grandchild) and konene (the young drifter). Central to his
argument is the role played by oral activity and the struggle for recognition as we
measure what we value, rather than value what we can measure.

Changing Perspectives and Approaches in Education and Teacher Development 31