The University of the Earth is an event open to all, offering opportunities for reflection, sharing and debate, and providing two days of discovery and discussion—open to everyone—on the major challenges threatening our planet, living organisms and social cohesion. On Friday 25 November 2022, Tchendukua was invited to take part in a round-table discussion entitled: ‘The school of the 21st century: how can we help our children grow up in harmony with nature?’.

There were some wonderful moments of discussion on the subject of educating our children for the future – working with, rather than against, the natural world. The round-table discussion was chaired by David Sève, director of the engagement department at the Nature & Découvertes Foundation.

“Transmission and education in the sense of bringing things to life are inherent in living organisms. Living organisms have been transmitting and bringing things to life for over 3 billion years, based on universal principles…. This is something that indigenous societies still know – those who continue to live in harmony with, rather than at war against, nature,” explained Éric Julien, representing the Tchendukua – Ici et Ailleurs association, at the start of the round table.

Guadalupe Yesenia Hernández Márquez, a scientist (biologist) trained in traditional Mexican medicine, reminded us of the importance and urgency of a dialogue between science and tradition – a dialogue necessary to decolonise our imaginations and to think about and heal the world in a different way.

These are principles that Muriel Fifils is putting into practice at the Caminando school, a primary school opened 10 years ago in the Drôme region, whose motto is “how to ensure that the school’s children don’t want to go on holiday”.

Philippe Nicolas, a primary school teacher in the Paris suburbs, illustrated this “necessary possibility of nature” by presenting his “Cap au Nord” project. A project that enables the 20 pupils in a class to be taken to the North Pole every year, to see and experience both global warming and the beauty of the world.

Anne Bouvier, head of the education sector at the Fondation de France, spoke of the flourishing of nature-based education and her “vision” of an ideal school…

Experience; joy; cooperation; projects; nature – these are some of the words that describe these new, inspiring schools…