On 22 January, the International Froebel Society (IFS) hosted its inaugural webinar, titled “Froebel and Democracy.” This virtual event featured three insightful scholarly presentations delivered by academics from Germany, the USA, and the UK/Chile. The webinar attracted an international audience of approximately 70 participants from a diverse range of countries, including the UK, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Norway, USA, New Zealand, Denmark, and China.
The webinar featured three distinguished panelists who shared their unique perspectives:
- Dr. Katrin Macha, a faculty member at the Catholic University of Applied Social Sciences in Berlin and Director of the Institute for Situational Approach, explored Friedrich Fröbel’s concept of the ‘wild bunch,’ delving into the interplay between freedom, democracy, and the natural world.
- Dr. Kyara Rojas-Bustos from the University of Roehampton, UK, presented on “Froebel & Democracy in Early Years Education in Chile,” drawing poignant parallels with her personal history of growing up under a dictatorship in Chile.
- Dr. Daniel J. Castner of Indiana University, USA, investigated the potential of Froebelian principles to enhance the humanization of early childhood curricula, offering a fresh perspective on educational philosophy.
The panel was expertly moderated by Dr. Amanda Norman (University of Winchester, UK) and Dr. Helge Wasmuth (Mercy University, US). Attendees were encouraged to engage with the presentations and delve deeper into the discussed topics during a subsequent interactive discussion session. The session has been recorded for those who wish to revisit the insights shared.
