Conference September 18th: Professional Development in Democratic Practices

CONFERENCE
Professional Development in Democratic Practices

University of Humanistic Studies,   

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Professionals in cultural, educational and caring institutions are learning in formal and informal settings. Their professional development depends on the learning possibilities of the workplace and the educational institution. In contemporary society there are top-down movements, that try to regulate and control professional development, and there are bottom-up movements that try to empower professionals and citizens, and to enhance democratic and just practices. In both movements moral values are involved and created. 
In this conference we will explore the following questions: What is the scope for democratic learning practices in which normative professional development can be stimulated? How can professional autonomy be linked to collective and public responsibility? And how can professionals contribute to a caring and just society and to a stronger democracy? What kind of educational goals, learning environments and learning experiences need to be created to support this kind of professional development?

Participants of the Graduate School UvH and the research group Care and Contested Coherence are invited for the whole day, UvH students for the morning session until lunch.

Morning Program (UCK)
09.30 - 10.00     Registration and coffee
10.00 - 10.10     Opening by prof. dr. Gerty Lensvelt-Mulders, UvH
10.10 - 11.10      Key-note: Professional Development in Democratic Practices, by prof. dr. Gert Biesta, University of Luxembourg
Introduction by prof. dr. Wiel Veugelers, UvH
11.10 - 11.30     Coffee Break
11.30 - 12.15      Key-note: Learning while doing.  An ethics of care perspective, by prof. dr. Andries Baart  UvH
Introduction by prof. dr. Frans Vosman UvH
The ethics of care not only refers to professional practices but also to organizational logics and to care practices in society.  Baart will both theoretically and based on field experiences elucidate the characteristics and possibilities of these so-called care ethical learning processes. These processes imply the idea of reflective space within organizations. Vosman will elucidate how this type of learning takes place in professional care practices that are 'nested' (Tronto)  in societal care practices.

12.30 – 13.30     Lunch break @ UCK

Afternoon program (UvH)
In the afternoon participants can choose between two workshops, one with Biesta and one with Baart.
13.30 - 15.00       The first part of the workshop will focus on the theoretical concepts used. The workshops starts with two referents.
15.00 - 15.30      Tea, possibility of change of group
15.30 - 16.30      The second part focuses on doing research with the presented concepts.
16.30 - 17.30      Drinks

Recommended literature: Gert Biesta (2012). Goed Onderwijs en de cultuur van het meten. Ethiek, politiek en democratie. Den Haag: Boom/Lemma. See also www.gertbiesta.com