Regenerative Education
Regeneration is a living systems perspective to the development of socio-ecological systems. It is rooted in a deep awareness of the interconnectedness and ‘nestedness’ of all life. It’s about the ability of living systems to heal themselves when injured, to transform degenerative patterns or relationships, and to evolve towards healthier and harmonious futures for all life involved.
Regenerative education is grounded in the premise that we live in times that call for regeneration. Ecosystems are falling apart. Global injustice, populism, and (risk of) war looms large. Human and more-than-human diversity is under serious threat. And many human beings long for deeper meaning, purpose, and hope. Regenerative education is aimed at learning which emerges from and cares for the interconnected wellbeing and thriving of humans, non-humans, and ecosystems on our shared planet.
By and large our education systems are still stuck in old stories. Stories that do not serve us anymore. That’s why the School of Regenerative Educators exists. It’s here to support educators around the world to regenerate themselves and the very systems and practices in which they are embedded. Whether you’re a teacher, a manager, a curriculum developer, a planner or else, you can play your part in the regeneration of educational systems and practices. And to craft a more regenerative story together.
Purpose Statement
SRE aims to support and strengthen the emerging regenerative current in the field of education. Its pole star is to work towards education that truly serves the interconnected wellbeing and thriving of humans, communities and ecosystems on our shared planet.
SRE aligns itself with regenerative thought leaders to develop a thinking technology for regenerative practice in the field of education. We explore and bring to life principles, dynamic frameworks, and exemplary stories that enable (aspiring) regenerative educators to develop and deepen their practice.
SRE hosts developmental spaces and processes for educators around the world to regenerate their own thinking and transform their practice and systems. We believe in the diversity and unique potential of people and places and in the interconnectedness of inner development for meaningful systems change. We curate a ‘magnetic center’ for educators ready to unleash their potential to lead the way into regenerative futures.
Roots
The School of Regenerative Educators emerged from the partnership of Mieke Lopes Cardozo, Koen Wessels and Bas van den Berg. They have worked for years on transforming education to be more life-affirming and healing, as educators, as researchers and as regenerative practitioners.
The School of Regenerative Educators originates from a Community of Practice Regenerative Education in the Netherlands - a group of educator-researchers that has been coming together since 2021 to learn with and from each other about regenerative pedagogy and systems change.
The School of Regenerative Educators has strong roots in the international fields of living systems thinking and regenerative development and design. We have a close connection to Regenesis Institute for Regenerative Practice and the lineage of living systems frameworks they work with and evolve.
Through these roots, we - Mieke, Koen and Bas - are blessed with elders and mentors such as Ben Haggard, Pamela Mang, Nicholas Mang, Daniel Christian Wahl, Carol Sanford, Arjen Wals and Michaela Hordijk.
Who we are
Koen Wessels works as a regenerative educator and resource at University of Amsterdam. He lives in Utrecht with his partner and his canine companion. Through his partner, he has rooted himself in a second culture and country - Turkey - and developed a deep passion for the transformative potential of intercultural experiences.
