Action for Inclusive Education
The World Studies Trust
has set up a group to advise on how best to incorporate Southern
and Black perspectives into its work. It is hoped that the
work of the Action for Inclusive Education group will be available
to the wider Global Education/Development Education movement.
Jaya Graves of Southern Voices
argues here that groups like this are essential:
I have been asked to explain why I think such a group is still
necessary. Commitment, in principle, to the inclusion of Southern
and Black people within Global Education, human rights, Development
discussions, and the many sectors concerned with education
and information on the South, and provision for an intercultural
society, has increased. However, our visibility is limited.
My observation and experience indicates a lack of Black and,
in particular, Southern people in these contexts. Some of
the material produced make it clear that few, if any, non-white
people have been closely involved in production. This is also
true of conference planning, workshops and seminars. We may
be asked to present perspectives, join projects, serve on
committees. However, we are not involved at primary, structural
levels. If we were, this would change not only complexion
and composition of the global education movement, but also
the discourse. It is not enough just to have people there.
They must be listened to; must be able to influence and shape
the process and product. Agencies produce materials which
focus specifically on their own field experience and programmes,
resulting in decontextualised and homogenised information.
(1) Projects seek 'partners' in particular countries either
as ongoing links or for the life span of the project. Working
with 'partners' in the South may be more exotic than working
with Southern people within the UK but it also means that
these groups work exclusively with people who do not know
the UK context. (2)
How I know this is contentious. I know this because I observe
and talk and listen. All valid ways of knowing. However, in
this society only knowledge which is 'scientifically' researched
and proven is valid, even where the knowledge is blatantly
apparent.
Southern Voices, where I work, is a network of settlers, Black
people and temporary residents. We renew links, annually,
with Southern people, who come as study fellows, researchers
and Associates within Universities. Their experience ranges
from practitioners to policy makers. We work in solidarity
and cooperation with Northern organisations (community groups,
agencies, black groups, Development Education Centres). We
know the Northern landscape and have access to people with
experience and immediacy of Southern and global situations.
We feel both are needed to do justice to the issues that concern
the South, as well as people living in a plural society.
We are a world of many peoples. This is reflected in national
societies. We need appropriate provision to access these cultures.
AFIE and Southern Voices are two attempts to respond to this.
I may not agree that Britain 'granted' India independence
or that Wilberforce 'abolished' slavery. (3) Concepts need
to be rethought; facts challenged and reviewed. For these
things to happen, we need many more groups like AFIE.
1. These usually contain the voices of the project partners
but not a plurality of voices.
2. Necessary, if we are to be serious about entitlement in
an intercultural society.
3. Words are not just a matter of semantics but of concepts,
attitudes, prejudices, beliefs.
Note:
Southern - people of the Southern hemisphere, also called
'developing', 'third world'.
Settler - people of Southern origin living in the UK. Often
recently displaced with strong emotional links to the South.
Black - People of Southern origin in the UK, often several
generations.
Perspectives sometimes, but not always, overlap.
Associated
articles:
A View from the South
National Black Youth Forum Charter of Rights
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