“Our Voice, Our Future: Youth Shaping Educational Change through Democratic Education”

“Our Voice, Our Future: Youth Shaping Educational Change through Democratic Education”
This dynamic youth panel brings together students from democratic and self-directed learning environments to share firsthand insights on educational autonomy. Young speakers will explore how freedom-based education has impacted their development, discussing everything from navigating between traditional and progressive systems to building peer-driven conflict resolution.
They’ll challenge common adult misconceptions about democratic education, reveal the digital tools powering their self-organized learning, and reflect on how embracing failure and experimentation has shaped their real-world skills and career aspirations. The conversation extends beyond the classroom, examining how democratic school values translate into civic participation and support mental health through student autonomy.
Expect authentic perspectives on what works, what doesn’t, and what the future of education could look like when designed with—not just for—young people.