In 2015 the Dutch-Flemish branch of the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain celebrates the Society’s 50th anniversary with a conference on the theme of Education as an agent of change. Even in those parts of the world least troubled by violence, poverty, environmental problems and natural or man-made disasters the sense that we live in a time of crisis – a critical era – is widespread. The banking crisis and general financial crises, climate change and other global environmental problems, and increasing global and regional socio-economic inequality has led to an increasing number of voices arguing that the current neoliberal politico-economic system is – for a multitude of reasons, both moral and prudential – unsustainable, and that radical changes are necessary. In times of crises it is almost habitual to turn to education in search for (a) solution(s). In this symposium we wish to put the place and space of education in a critical era radically at stake. What sense can be made of the idea of education as an agent of change? To what extent does it still make sense to speak of education as having a ‘role’ to play in this context? Many have warned against the dangers of using the next generations to rectify the mistakes of the previous ones. At the same time educating our children is arguably one of the most important ways in which we take responsibility in and for this world. How, then, are we today to conceive of the idea of education as an intergenerational relationship? In current times, to what extent is it wise, or sensible, or appropriate to resist an instrumentalization of education? Some have argued that education is or should be a site of experimentation. What are the limits – if any – of such a site? Friday, 27 November 14:45 Reception with coffee/tea 15:15 Opening 15:30 Michael Bonnett on ecological/holistic education and social change 16:30 Two 15-minute responses 17:00 Short reply by speaker and plenary discussion 17:30 Closing words Saturday, 28 November 09:30 Coffee/tea 10:00 Jan Masschelein and Maarten Simons on the public role of education 11:00 Two 15-minute responses 11:30 Short reply by speaker and plenary discussion 12:00 Lunch 13:30 Ginie Servant: Self-Actualization as Educational Change Agent: a philosophical re- interpretation of Carl R. Rogers’s Freedom to Learn 14:30 Two 15-minute responses 15:00 Short reply by speaker and plenary discussion 15:30 Closing words followed by drinks reception Participation is free, but registration is taken to imply a sincere commitment to attend. You can register by sending an e-mail to Anders Schinkel: a.schinkel@vu.nl. Please list your name, affiliation, and any dietary requirements. Accommodation is not included, and travel and accommodation costs cannot be funded.