This dynamic presentation challenges the educational status quo by exploring how Derry Hannam’s revolutionary 20% modest proposal can transform schools into laboratories of democracy and inclusion, preparing students to tackle the defining challenges of our time—from climate crisis to social fragmentation. The proposal is very simple – that 20% of curriculum time in schools should be allocated to the interests, concerns, questions, purposes, passions of the students for self-direction by the students themselves.
Core Message
“What if we stopped preparing students for yesterday’s world and started empowering them to create tomorrow’s by fostering well-being through interest, agency and engagement? We will discuss the threat to our social and political well-being presented by the lack of agency and engagement in wider society.”





