Lecture by JProf. Dr. Steve Kenner on the topic “Normativity and criticism: Political education in the context of sustainability and transformation”
12/15/2025
As part of the Forum Sustainability event series the next event for the winter term 2025/26 on the main topic of "Sustainability policy on the defensive?!", took place on 15th December 2025. After a brief introduction by Jack Lahr (JMU), JProf. Dr, Steve Kenner (University of Education Weingarten) gave a lecture on the topic “Normativity and criticism: Political education in the context of sustainability and transformation”.
JProf. Dr. Steve Kenner opened his lecture by placing political education in the context of multiple crises affecting ecological, economic, social and democratic structures. Against this backdrop, Kenner discussed the democratic educational mandate. Following on from Oskar Negt, he emphasized that democracy must be actively learned and cannot be taken for granted but is rather an emancipatory process. Human dignity (Art. 1 GG) can serve as a central normative orientation which is supplemented by the anchoring of educational mandate in the respective state constitutions. With reference to Adorno, Kenner also emphasized the goal of education to promote maturity, critical thinking and “resistance”.
In the further discussion on the implementation of political education and education for sustainable development, it was highlighted that the critical-emancipatory perspective goes beyond the mere transfer of knowledge and strengthens analytical thinking as well as decision-making skills. Political education is caught between two conflicting priorities: on the one hand, it should enable critical reflection on existing conditions and, on the other hand, defend the normative foundations of democracy. What is needed, therefore, is a reflective balance between criticism of authority and defense of democracy. In conclusion, Kenner called for greater support of political education in order to encourage and empower young people to actively participate in shaping a transforming society.
The events will be organized in interdisciplinary cooperation with the Chair of Social Science Sustainability Research, the Department of Political Theory, the Chair of International Relations and European Studies, the Chair of Public Law and International Economic Law and the WueLAB. The event was eligible for GSiK certificates ("Intercultural Competence" in area C and "Sustainability and Global Responsibility").
