Martedì 25 novembre, alle ore 14.00, avrà luogo online l’Open Conversation dal titolo “Becoming a teacher in times of democracies under pressure” organizzata nell’ambito di Circle U.

Becoming a teacher in times of democracies under pressure means studying in an academic, social, and political environment shaken by political crisis and social divides. This Open Conversation is proposed by the Teacher Education Network (TENet) of Circle U. to trace how political and institutional environments impact on teacher professionalisation as early as in initial teacher education at university. The experiences of teacher education students at the University of Belgrade are a compelling case unfolding right within the Circle U. partnership.

At the University of Belgrade, teacher education students face blocked classes, postponed exams, and uncertain practicum placements as protests over government corruption and mismanagement continue. Faculty members struggle with administrative and economic pressures such as heavier teaching loads, salary cuts, limited research opportunities and growing threats to academic freedom shaping the environment in which future teachers are trained.

Envisioning a career in the public sector and developing a professional educational identity has turned into a challenge which for many students holds unforeseen doubts and dilemmas as supportive school teachers are currently facing loss of employment and exclusion from teaching positions.

The Open Conversation will be dedicated to highlighting the voices of teacher education students from Belgrade, showcasing their experiences of studying and preparing to teach in a context of political tension and pressure on democratic institutions. Their stories of resilience, advocacy, and navigating an unsettled academic environment will form the centerpiece of the discussion. The broader dialogue will allow for reflection on how teacher education adapts to different social and political challenges, emphasising both the distinctiveness of the Serbian context and the shared commitment of future educators across Europe and beyond to uphold democratic values in their work.

Programma

Opening
Stephan Breidbach, CU.til Chair/ TENet, Director Professional School of Education, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Welcome address
Niels Pinkwart, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

“Student public engagement at the University of Belgrade since November 2024 – How it all began and what it has become”
Anastasija Mitrović, teacher education student, Faculty of Education, Univerzitet u Beogradu

“Becoming while being a teacher in a democracy under pressure – reflections on the faultlines of educational professionalisation”
Vladimir Vojnak, teacher education student, Faculty of Education, Univerzitet u Beogradu

Panel Discussion: Becoming a teacher in times of democracies under pressure (40 mins)

  • Moderation: Stephan Breidbach
  • Anastasija Mitrović, teacher education student, Faculty of Education, Univerzitet u Beogradu
  • Vladimir Vojnak, teacher education student, Faculty of Education, Univerzitet u Beogradu
  • Nevena Buđjevac, CU.til Chair/ TENet, Associate professor in psychology of education, Faculty of Education, Univerzitet u Beogradu
  • Claudia Matthes (tbc) (CU Democracy HUB, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)
  • Frederick Sylvester or Sindiswa Stofile (UWC) (HIT member from SA)

“Teacher Education in Emerging Democracies – Reflections on the case of South Africa
John Ruiters (Stellenbosch University, HIT member) (tbc)

Concluding Remarks
Christiane Dalton-Puffer, CU.til Member/ TENet, Universität Wien
Christina Richardson, CU.til Chair/ TENet, King’s College London

Registrazione

Per la partecipazione è necessaria la registrazione, da effettuarsi entro e non oltre le ore 11.59 di venerdì 21 novembre inviando una mail all’indirizzo englischdidaktik@hu-berlin.de

The working language of the event will be English; questions in official languages of the CU partner universities will be received and answered in English.