PUSH-D – Pedagogical approach for Sustainable development and Heritage valorization

Research topics:The research group aims to be a space for in-depth analysis and comparison of theories, methodologies and best practices in education within the national and international strategic-political framework characterized primarily by the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Intervention priorities are the enhancement of social and environmental dimensions of human and sustainable development in a lifelong learning perspective, clarifying the underlying and transversal educational dimension to the actions of research and the third mission. The main research lines include: valorization of natural and cultural environmental heritage, development of the third sector and social innovation within organizational contexts, the relationship between migratory phenomena and development processes. Starting from an idea of sustainability as an equilibrium between the principles of environmental protection, social justice, economic development, inclusion and democratic participation, this research group recognizes in education a transversal and essential variable of efficiency and effectiveness of the processes of sustainable use of the territory on a social and economic level and of the planning of territorial policies. This reading is closely related to the concept of human development that has, for several years now, definitively undermined the need to pursue economic growth alone and has brought to the fore consideration of people’s role in sustainable development, together with recognition of the importance of democracy, freedom, dignity, responsibility, participation, and well-being. 

Activities:

The research unit is engaged in the design and implementation of educational, research, and third mission activities. Output of the unit’s 2014-2018 activities:

a. Professional development course: Pedagogical approach to the safeguarding and valorization of Cultural Heritage (2015-2017).

b. Direction of the session Approccio pedagogico per lo sviluppo sostenibile e la valorizzazione del patrimonio all’interno del IV Congresso CUCS (Consorzio Universitario per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo), Brescia, September 10-12, 2015.

c. Project for the Horizon 2015 - 2017 ECHo - European Cultural Hologram - Innovative approaches to Heritage towards Europeanization - Horizon H2020-REFLECTIVE-SOCIETY-2015 call (internal reference number: SEP-210270915), positive evaluation, unfunded.

d. Funded European projects (see specific paragraphs).

MoCa Academic spin-off: 

MoCa Future Designers Società Cooperativa (year of incorporation: 2018) is a social enterprise that offers consulting services to organizations operating in the socio-educational-cultural sector, serving them to anticipate and manage change in order to improve their positioning in the reference market and conquer new positions. Some members of the research unit are part of this spin-off.

https://www.unifi.it/p11351.html

LAB-E.R. joint laboratory:

Laboratory of Educational Research for Social Innovation and Cooperation (LAB-E.R.; established in 2019). The laboratory consists of the FORLILPSI Department, MoCa Future Designers Società Cooperativa, Pegaso Network Cooperativa Sociale ONLUS, and Proforma Società Cooperativa Impresa Sociale. The laboratory has the following aims: to define and test innovative models of education and training in the third sector and development cooperation; to detect and model knowledge, skills and abilities for social innovation among trainers for new professional profiles; to investigate and test methodological models for the improvement of university training; to test specific (post-graduate) training activities related to research and development projects. Some members of the research unit are part of this laboratory. 

Aims and objectives:

1. To develop pedagogical reflection on the themes of Sustainability (environmental, educational, social, economic, institutional) and Cultural Heritage in an inter- and trans-disciplinary key in connection with some of the main national and international networks: WEEC-Network World Environmental Education; Earth Charter Process; International Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage - ICICH; Italian Network for ICH; Cultural Information and Research Centers Liaison in Europe (CIRCLE); European Institute for Progressive Cultural Policies (EIPCP), IASS (Italian Association for Sustainability Science).
2. To develop formal, non-formal and informal training devices (with particular reference to adult education, vocational training, higher education, employment) to support the construction of skills, perspectives and values to live in a sustainable way and participate in a democratic society to protect heritage and its enhancement.
3. To generate new knowledge and innovative models for policies able to leverage the capital of knowledge and skills that a community can express for the sustainable development and enhancement of tangible and intangible heritage.

International projects recently concluded or in progress (until 2020)

• META - Minorities groups Education Through Art (Erasmus Plus, KA3) - concluded
• European Manifesto for Inclusive Learning (Erasmus K2) - in progress
• Innovative Language Learning in a framework of practices for socio-cultural inclusion and empathy enhancement in adult education - Lingua+ (Erasmus K2) - in progress
• Jobland: Teaching skills and resources to improve career learning at schools (Erasmus K2) - in progress
• Remix: The university as an advocate for responsible education about migration in Europe (Erasmus K2) - in progress
• Analysis of the phenomenon of migration of young people in Côte d'Ivoire, internally funded, carried out in collaboration with the NGO Terres des Hommes Italy and University Félix Houphouët Boigny of Abidjan - UNESCO Chair for the Culture of Peace, Côte d'Ivoire - in progress

Collaboration with national and international networks and research groups:

1. Currículos da educação superior: Teoria e m é todo em educação para recuperação e valorização do patrimônio material e imateriali, Universidade Estadual do Estado da Bahia - Salvador de Bahia e Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - Florianopolis, Brazil, Programa de Pós-Graduação (scientific coordination Eduardo Nunes, Clecio Azevedo).
2. Currículo, Atividade Docente e Subjetividades, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Brasil (scientific coordination: Laura Cristina Viera Pizzi).
3. Pedagogia dell’ambiente, sviluppo umano, responsabilità sociale. Sustainability, smart city, green jobs and food education - SIPed Group, scientific coordination: Pierluigi Malavasi, Maria Luisa Iavarone).