Education for the future: Conference in Schwäbisch Gmünd inspires!

Education for the future: Conference in Schwäbisch Gmünd inspires!

An exciting educational conference entitled “Futures Literacy” took place in Schwäbisch Gmünd. This event, which was organized by the “Alliance School of the Future Schwäbisch Gmünd”, aimed to discuss actively shaping the future through school education. The Congress Center Stadtgarten (CCS) was the venue for the opening, at which District Administrator Dr. Joachim Bläse and Mayor Richard Arnold welcomed the guests.

A special highlight of the conference was the lecture by Prof. Dr. Anabel Ternès von Hattburg, who explained the concept of Futures Literacy as a “grammar of tomorrow’s thinking”. She emphasized that it is about empowering people to deal creatively and responsibly with possible futures. In this context, the school was also highlighted as a place for the active development of ideas and the assumption of responsibility.

Futures Literacy and its meaning

Futures Literacy promotes conscious reflection on future assumptions so that decisions can be made better. In addition to Ternès, District Administrator Bläse, State Secretary Sandra Boser and Christina Moser also took part in the panel discussion. They discussed how important a change of perspective beyond school is in order to strengthen innovation in education.

A key point that Bläse addressed was the need to develop an open attitude towards uncertainty. This is essential to promote creative thinking and the courage to change in the education system. Futures Literacy combines attitude, method and practice and helps to actively meet future challenges.

Visions for the future

The conference also introduced the “Marketplace of Opportunities” where various educational projects and initiatives were showcased. Particular attention was drawn to the fact that images represent an important human tool for opening up new intellectual horizons. They influence our subconscious and pull us into the future. It was emphasized that language, reference points, culture and contexts are crucial for developing visions of the future.

This creative approach to vision is necessary to build resilience and remain hopeful, even in times of uncertainty. There is an urgent need to strengthen collective courage for the future and to explore diverse images of possible developments based on desirability in order to provide mental anchors in uncertain times.

Overall, the educational conference in Schwäbisch Gmünd shows how important it is to change the way we think about the future and to anchor it sustainably in school education. This is the only way we can master the challenges of the future and educate young people to be responsible designers of their own futures.

For more information about “Futures Literacy” and its educational goals, visit the articles on Rem newspaper, Investopedia and Future builder.