More than four years ago, I came across Jonathan Rowson’s essay on Bildung (Bildung in the 21st Century —Why sustainable prosperity depends upon reimagining education) and its role in transformative education. Published in June 2019, it was a serendipitous pandemic find for me—a piece that offered clarity and inspiration during a time of uncertainty. The ideas have stayed with me ever since, and today, I felt the need to share how they continue to shape my thinking about education and its broader purpose in society.
Rowson argues that education should no longer be seen as a mere policy domain or a phase of life. Instead, it should become the central purpose of society, a transformative process rooted in the concept of Bildung. This term encompasses lifelong learning, personal growth, and societal engagement—a vision that resonates deeply with me. Education, Rowson suggests, can help address the ecological, social, and economic crises we face. I wholeheartedly agree with this and wish these recommendations were more widely discussed among educators. Yes, this may be a lofty dream, but who says we can’t develop habits that bring us closer to such ideas?
One of Rowson’s key points is that education must extend beyond traditional institutions like schools and universities. It should be seen as part of a larger ecosystem, encompassing informal and community-based settings. This idea resonates profoundly with me. Education isn’t just something people “do” in designated spaces; it’s an ongoing, interconnected process. Actively embracing this perspective can open up new possibilities for how we learn and grow together as a society.
Another insight that has stayed with me is Rowson’s emphasis on collaboration. He stresses the need for a design process involving educators, policymakers, artists, and futurists to build and sustain Bildung. How much would I love to be part of such an endeavour! Too often, in my 25 years in education, I’ve observed debates dominated by people asserting their knowledge, positioning themselves in “camps,” or reinventing ideas. While all of this has its value, I’ve often asked myself: why don’t we collaborate more habitually with people from other fields and backgrounds? Cross-pollination of ideas could be transformative, yet it remains an underexplored frontier.
Rowson concludes with a call to action, highlighting that the realisation of Bildung will depend on the “steady accumulation of small realities” through committed and sustained effort. Since discovering his essay, I’ve carried his ideas with me, pondering how I might contribute to this vision. Where are the people I need to connect with? How do I begin? For years, these thoughts sat in my mind like seeds, waiting for the right conditions to grow. Today, I feel the impetus to start—one small reality at a time.
This blog post marks my first step towards engaging more actively with these ideas. It’s a declaration of intent and an invitation.
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