To vote is the easiest part, the difficult part is the implementation.
Joined on our first day by politician Thomas Eneroth, we explored how voting – whether as a citizen, an MP or an MEP – is really the easiest step. Most of us know what we want and in nine out of ten cases, the answer comes easily. But what happens next? In any democratic process, the engagement of the people most affected by a proposed legislation should be the first step, long before the implementation begins.
And that is actually the key to success.
Because when politics and communities work together, they create deeper and more comprehensive knowledge, rooted not in theory, but in real life experience. Former Swedish MP, Thomas Eneroth, explains how this synergy is one of a kind, essential to identifying and addressing real needs, ensuring no one is left behind during the implementation of new laws, and finally focusing on people’s hopes, rather than their fears.
Community engagement must be a cornerstone for every political process.
And this is, in a nutshell, what a Just Transition is about.
But how can people be involved if politics doesn’t invite them to the table?
This is where Adult Education kicks in.
Sweden has a long tradition of education with many successful initiatives implemented throughout the years, like for example the Knowledge Lift, an education program for adult learners that helped raise the skill level of all low-skilled workers towards a medium level, that showed in more ways than one the power of emancipation. Amongst those ways: a rise in divorce rates. As women gained access to education and better job opportunities, many found financial independence for the first time, finally breaking free from previous dependent relationships.
In essence… How can empowering adult education programs be implemented in other countries?
Despite the differences in socio-political contexts, the answer is consistent: education is the key to empowerment. Popular Education, in particular, lays the foundation for lasting social transformation. As Mikael Leyi, Secretary General at Solidar, emphasized during the meeting: empowerment begins with grassroots community organizing that analyzes the root causes of oppression and develops initiatives for transformative action.
But communities are not islands. They function within ecosystems and when balance is lost, well-being suffers. The Doughnut Economic Model illustrates this perfectly. Cajsa Unnbom, expert on policy and just transition at Olof Palma International Center, explained how even a single breach in one of the nine areas of the ecological ceiling can lead to a social shortfall, ultimately threatening the integrity of the entire system.
This is why Bildung is the way.
Former Swedish Minister of Education, Anna Ekström dwelled on the concept of Bildung which sees education through a holistic view. The Nordic approach refers to self-cultivation through education and personal development – not just acquiring knowledge or skills. It’s about becoming a whole, mature, and morally responsible person, developing one ‘s mind, values, and identity through a lifelong journey of learning and self-reflection.
The depth and the richness of the three-day meeting will have a strong impact on the next phase of the project: the development of a policy toolkit that will capture these insights and much more, to inspire action and empower others. To know more about the project click on the following link.