Teological Challenges and Freirean Liberating Pedagogy

A Theological Reflection on the Contribution of the Global Educational Pact

Abstract

This article discusses the meaning of education in its dialogue with Paulo Freire (Freirean pedagogy) and the Global Pact for Education. In the current context, we are experiencing an ethical crisis, a crisis of meaning regarding existence and how we relate to each other. This reality affects education, religious belonging, and the world of the poor who suffer the stigma of exclusion every day. It is known that Latin American theology, and in particular Brazilian theology, has contributed to the advancement of theological science in terms of methodology and inductive and hermeneutical epistemology. In Pope Francis' Global Pact for Education, there are challenges concerning education that are also theological and even ecclesial. This article intends to analyze them in relation to the pedagogical thought of Paulo Freire, a Brazilian educator and thinker who contributed to an integrative, humanizing, and emancipatory education for individuals. Therefore, the reflection will be approached through three stages. In the first, the meaning and relevance of the Global Pact for Education will be presented. In the second part, some theological challenges will be emphasized in light of the Pact itself. Finally, in the last part, Freirean pedagogy and its relevance to theological challenges will be addressed. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the reflective unfolding between the Global Educational Pact and Freirean pedagogy within the horizon of theology.