Finally Growth – The Update

Educational materials for a socio-ecological transformation

The materials of our educational platform Finally growth For many years, we have offered a critical analysis of our economic system in the context of the climate crisis.

In addition to examining economic growth and its ecological and social consequences, the focus is on finding solutions and alternatives for a socio-ecological economy and society. In October 2024, we published an updated and revised version of Finally growth published. Data was updated, current debates and topics were added, and perspectives critical of power were systematically integrated. In addition, we offered symposiums for networking and exchange, continuing education and training measures for multipliers, and workshops for young people. Our goal: to contribute to embedding power-critical and transformative education in ESD and global learning and to provide multipliers with the necessary skills and materials. The project languages ​​are German, English, and Spanish.

More about the project:

Since the release of our educational platform Finally growth A lot has happened: The climate crisis has intensified, as have social inequalities – globally and in Germany. New insights into the impacts of the climate crisis have emerged, but knowledge about different responsibilities has also become more widespread, and options for action are now clearer. There have also been important shifts in the discussion and practice of ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) and Global Learning – particularly through the intensive work of marginalized groups and the engagement of other civil society actors to raise the visibility of critical perspectives and activities from the Global South. 

However, the major societal challenges remain and continue to underscore the important role of educational work. For us, it is clear: educational work in the context of a socio-ecological transformation must address the big questions: 

• What can global learning/education for sustainable development look like that truly encourages engagement with the structural causes of global injustice and ecological crises?
• How can sustainable development be discussed beyond individual and technical solutions?
• How can global learning address multidimensional solutions?
• How can we effectively incorporate reflection on our positions into our educational practice?
• How can spaces be created in Global Learning/ESD and beyond that are not exclusive, but rather address diverse target groups and accommodate all perspectives?

Target Group

The project is aimed at multipliers in (extracurricular and school-based) educational work in the fields of education for sustainable development, global learning, business, and politics. With this project, we particularly aim to address teachers and (post-)migrant multipliers. Where possible, we rely on multilingual formats and explicitly adapted materials for schools. Furthermore, we aim to better network stakeholders in ESD, global learning, and the climate movement. The goal is to advance and strengthen power-critical and transformative education in ESD and in the context of socio-ecological change. 

Main topics

In 2023 and 2024, we offered educational and networking events and educational materials on the following topics:

• “Climate of (Un-)justice"
  How are the climate crisis, inequality, and our economic system connected? What are the causes of climate injustice? And how can we strengthen demands for climate justice?
• "All in the mind? Cultural causes of a non-sustainable way of production and living & Alternatives"
  Deeply embedded social and cultural thought patterns and values—such as performance and competitive thinking—consolidate unsustainable lifestyles and thus prevent socio-ecological change. How can discrimination-sensitive approaches and learning "with heart, hands, and head" help to make these thought patterns and values ​​visible and transform them? 
• "Global Justice and Solidarity, Alternatives for Globally Just Futures
  What ideas and visions for global justice and solidarity exist? Civil society groups and social movements in Germany and around the world are committed to global solidarity, justice, and a good life for all. How can they and their often local and regional struggles be made visible through educational work? And what can we learn from them?
• “Global connections in the context of digitalization”
  Digital technology is not only changing everyday life, but also the structures of a global economy. In a growth-oriented economy, it is accelerating the climate crisis. Why is this so, and could it be different? How should digitalization be designed to advance socio-ecological change?

At some of the events we were able to offer simultaneous interpretation into spoken English, and the last training course was held in spoken Spanish with interpretation into spoken English.

We were happy to meet you at our events!

Do you have questions or suggestions? Would you like to inquire about a workshop on one of the topics? Then please write to us. bildung@knoe.org