Empowering access to education in the age of globalization | Aaron Friedland | TEDxDTU

Summary

Aaron Friedland discusses empowering access to education and eliminating illiteracy in the age of globalization. He highlights the historical shift from nomadic lifestyles to settled agriculture, emphasizing the importance of education in modern society. Friedland shares his experiences in Uganda, where he founded the Walking School Bus to improve educational outcomes through technology and global collaboration. He calls for collective action to ensure all children have access to education, illustrating the impact of his organization's work through a reading program that connects students across the globe.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The Agricultural Revolution marked a pivotal shift from nomadic hunting-gathering to settled farming, leading to the development of villages and cities.
• 🏫 The establishment of communities fostered the creation of schools, emphasizing the importance of education for societal success.
• 🌐 The concept of 'jugaad', or frugal innovation, is celebrated as a key aspect of problem-solving and resourcefulness in the Indian context.
• ⚡️ Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment in 1752 demystified the myth of lightning being a divine force, symbolizing humanity's progress towards understanding and utilizing natural phenomena.
• 🎵 Adele's 2015 song 'Hello' reaching millions within 24 hours exemplifies the interconnectedness and reach possible in today's globalized world.
• 🤝 A personal encounter with John Mathews led to the rapid development of an educational app, demonstrating the power of collaboration and technology in addressing educational challenges.
• 📚 The 'Walking School Bus' initiative aims to bridge the gap in educational access, particularly in rural areas, by leveraging technology and community partnerships.
• 🌍 The script highlights the stark reality that 60 million primary school children worldwide are not in school, with distance being a significant barrier for 26.3 million of them.
• 📈 In India, a significant improvement in primary school completion rates for female students was observed from 60.5% in 1999 to 92.5% in 2007, reflecting the impact of educational policies.
• 🔄 The 'flip access' movement encourages individuals to raise awareness about educational inequities by sharing inverted images on social media, symbolizing the need to 'flip' the script on access to education.

Q & A

What significant change occurred in human society around ten thousand years ago?

The Agricultural Revolution took place, which led to the end of the previously nomadic lifestyle of hunting and gathering, and the beginning of settled farming.

How did the Agricultural Revolution impact human lifestyle and social structure?

It led to the development of rural villages and later cities, which in turn led to the establishment of schools and a society where education became a prerequisite for success.

What is the meaning of 'jugaad' in Hindi and how does it relate to the speaker's discussion?

Jugaad means 'frugal innovation' in Hindi, and the speaker, an economist, appreciates this concept as it aligns with his discussion on empowering access to education through innovative and resourceful means.

What historical event involving Benjamin Franklin is mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to the theme of demystifying myths?

The script mentions Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment in 1752, where he demonstrated that lightning is electricity and not a God-driven event, thus helping to demystify myths and promote a more globalized understanding of natural phenomena.

How did Adele's song 'Hello' exemplify the interconnectedness of the modern world?

Adele's song 'Hello' reached 27.7 million people within 24 hours of its release, showcasing the global reach and interconnectedness made possible by modern technology and media.

What is the 'walking school bus' and how does it aim to empower access to education?

The 'walking school bus' is an organization founded by Aaron Friedland that aims to empower access to education by connecting classrooms in rural Uganda with those in other parts of the world to improve learning outcomes.

What is the current global estimate of primary school children who are not in school, and what is a significant barrier for some?

Currently, an estimated 60 million primary school children are not in school, with 26.3 million of them facing distance as a barrier to education.

What is the illiteracy rate among adults in India, and how does it compare to the global illiterate population?

In India, 287 million adults are illiterate, which accounts for 37 percent of the world's illiterate adult population.

What motivated Aaron Friedland to found the 'walking school bus' organization?

Aaron Friedland was motivated by his experiences in Uganda, where he witnessed the challenges students face in accessing education, such as long distances to travel and lack of nutrition, and his desire to make education more inclusive.

How does the 'flip access movement' intend to raise awareness about education access?

The 'flip access movement' encourages individuals to take upside-down photos and share them on social media with the hashtag '#access', tagging friends to do the same, to raise awareness about the barriers many students face in accessing education.