“I AM NOT A PEACENIK”: Adult learning of development education in English-speaking Canada

Abstract

Dr. Budd Hall examines the landscape of Development Education within English-speaking Canada during the early 1980s, framing its purpose as essential for national survival in an increasingly interdependent global context. The analysis talks about the fact that the industrialized world's well-being is intricately tied to the economic health of the Third World, necessitating a "new internationalism" supported by public understanding. Development Education is defined as the range of educational activities designed to promote awareness, critical understanding, and action regarding the relationship between the developed and developing worlds. The paper highlights the difficulties faced by Development Education practitioners, who compete against dominant media narratives, misinformation, and the interests of powerful institutions with severely limited financial and institutional support. Furthermore, it addresses the challenge of impact evaluation, noting the shift from traditional evaluation within formal educational systems to the necessity of assessing the tangible outcomes of Development Education programs on both Canadian individuals and their relationship with the developing world. The article concludes by underscoring the vital role of Development Education in fostering the collective societal understanding required to address global problems and effect social change.