CoAlteroCividad, pedagogía desde la educación media para la otredad

Abstract

This research process focuses on understanding the school as a place where children and young people can learn and explore. However, there are obstacles that prevent the common interest from being fulfilled, as sometimes individual interest prevails. For this reason, it is necessary to seek an educational alternative that develops civic education and recognizes the individuality of each person, fostering mutual care. The research is based on the ideas of Emmanuel Levina’s and Leonardo Boff. Both authors agree that recognizing and caring for the other is fundamental for good coexistence and for strengthening citizenship. Their perspectives can generate new dynamics within the school, promoting an environment of collaboration, empathy, and social responsibility, which strengthens each person's life project, respects their uniqueness, and celebrates differences. The proposed method is based on a rigorous theoretical analysis, with an emphasis on Levina’s' ideas about the ethics of recognizing the other and Boff's approach to caring for the other. For Boff, this care is vital in human relationships and in the connection with the natural environment, as it encompasses all aspects of human life. Current education often focuses on individual achievement and competition, which can hinder the development of a true educational community. This competitive approach can fragment relationships within the school, where students are seen as isolated individuals rather than part of an interdependent community. This proposal not only aims to encourage academically competent students but also to create an environment that values diversity and fosters collaboration. The objective is to contribute to a pedagogy that promotes alterity, care for others, and citizenship, preparing them to be responsible and critical citizens. Using a phenomenological method, the aim is to understand how individuals experience their reality and avoid imposed categorizations. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of different experiences and promotes a school environment that values individuality and fosters empathy and social responsibility.