People’s History: education for freedom – or conformity?

Media notice

8 October 2015

People’s History: education for freedom – or conformity?

Education is the theme of a full-day symposium, this year’s People’s History event in Wellington. Inspired by the centennial of the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), the organisers asked presenters to look at aspects of education history in New Zealand, through the critical lens shaped by educator Paulo Freire: is education for freedom, or for conformity?

Over a dozen presenters will cover a wide range of topics: Conal McCarthy and Jim Traue report on museums and early Mechanics’ Institutes; Pat Bolster marks the centenary of the WEA; Cybele Locke, Rachelle Hautapu, Bronwyn Wood and Meegan Hall cover formal education from early childhood to tertiary and The Song Snatchers describe the Music to Schools radio broadcasts. Claire-Louise McCurdy, Graeme Whimp and Ross Teppett look over workers’ education, and Jan Rivers, Jeremy Rose and ‘White Man Behind A Desk’ discuss the media. There will also be a ‘History on Speed’ interactive session, and at the end of the symposium Paul Diamond will wrap up the day’s discussions.

The one-day event is a change from previous years where weekly People’s History talks were held.

The organising group (Joan McCracken, Rachel Ingram, Cybele Locke and Marie Russell) is a collaboration from the Wellington Museum, the Labour History Project and the Alexander Turnbull Library.

The People’s History Symposium will be held on Sunday 1 November 2015 at Wellington Museum, Queen’s Wharf. Entry by koha, but bookings required. Register through ATLOutreach@dia.govt.nz with Symposium in the subject line.

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