Young Voices on Humane Education
Students and graduates of our graduate programs, online courses and in-person workshops are reaching tens of thousands of young people every year with humane education. They are integrating humane education through the curricula they teach in public and private schools, implementing new humane education programs in high schools, introducing humane education to pre-school children, teaching semester- and year-long middle and high school courses, advising environmental, social justice, and animal protection student clubs, and promoting humane education at conferences in the US and abroad.
Like you, they are concerned with educating for outcomes beyond test scores. The real world they prepare their students for is much more important and dynamic than conventional educational institutions define it. They seek to awaken that which makes us humane: wisdom, reverence, responsibility, empowerment, humility, attention, and insight. They strive to inspire students to accept their most valuable role in society: change-makers and practitioners or leaders of humane, sustainable living.
Here is just a small glimpse at the real results of humane education, in the words of the young people themselves:
From middle school students in Zoe's humane education mini-unit at the Bay School in Blue Hill, Maine, June 8-10, 2010:
“I was blown away by all of the surprising discoveries you talked about.... I liked the idea that we get to discover so much by ourselves about the companies we sponsor [through our purchases] daily.”“I feel like your class really helped me notice and think again. Thank you so much!”
“The time you spent with us was very inspiring. It really opened my eyes...”
“[The class] has been a life-changing experience.”
“You really inspired all of us to think deeply.”
“[Humane education] has opened a door for me that has always been shrouded in shadows. I have always known and cared about these difficult issues, but have not had the courage to stand up for them. Now I am a strong, independent, caring individual who never hesitates to take action. Even a single drop in a pond can create a wave.”
“I learned I really care about children’s rights so now I am trying to be an activist for young kids everywhere.”
“Before taking this [humane education] class, I didn’t know anything about the environment. Now I take the time to think about everything I buy. I recycle and I pay more attention to environmental issues.”
“[If more children had access to humane education] there would be a greater and faster potential for a positive change and growth in the world, a greater capacity for people to find more peaceful solutions to global problems.”
"[Since taking this humane education course], I am more compassionate towards people because of this class."
"The biggest change in my life [since taking this humane education course] has been the change in awareness since realizing what everything costs to our environment. [Humane education] would definitely jump start the environmental movement for the next generation."
"[Through humane education], I’ve learned that I really care about human rights issues in 3rd world countries. I care about what I buy now. I know that I am going to join Doctors Without Borders because of learning about HIV/AIDS issues in Africa. I have learned to value human life more than ever."
"[From this humane education class], I have learned to become more aware of how much people consume, and where/how the products I buy affect the environment around us. This course has helped me grow in many aspects of my life: health, school, life itself. [If everyone had humane education in school ] there would be a greater and faster potential for a positive change and growth in the world; a greater capacity for people to find more peaceful solutions to global problems."
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July 14, 2012 - 8:30 am to July 14, 2012 - 5:00 pm | Location: Institute for Humane Education
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