WORLD WORLDWIDE EUROPE SPAIN - news journal UPDATE - (en) Spain, Regeneracion: Feminist Schools of Catalonia By EMBAT (ca, de, it, pt, tr)[machine translation]

 In the following text, we present a project to transform education from

a feminist and intersectional perspective, carried out in Catalonia by a
group of families, education workers, and people involved in various
social struggles. This project emerged in a context of opposition to
cuts in education and the inequalities rooted in the Catalan education
system. The idea was, and is, to foster educational communities where
everyone's voices are heard in an environment of collaboration and
mutual learning, and where the work and contributions of women and all
dissident identities are valued. To this end, a series of meetings and
workshops are held that bring together educators, families, and students
within the framework of the feminist and diversity struggle, always
seeking the empowerment of those involved.

Members of Embat (Catalan Libertarian Organization) participate in the
Feminist Schools, making this space a central project in their
educational field of social inclusion. These Feminist Schools organize
various meetings throughout the year to profile and connect stakeholders
in the educational community.

The aforementioned meetings are consolidated as spaces for sharing
experiences and reflecting on education from a feminist and diversity
perspective. These meetings are held with between 200 and 400 people,
featuring workshops, talks, and debates that allow participants to
connect with other experiences of struggle for equity and social
transformation. The meetings have evolved and adapted to circumstances,
including the interruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced
the organization to rethink its format and work dynamics.

One of the project's fundamental pillars and main objective is to
generate significant change in the educational system by creating an
environment in which the voices of those who occupy the
classrooms-students and teachers-are heard. Through a cooperative
approach, participants promote initiatives that arise from the bottom up
rather than from institutional impositions, thus ensuring that shared
experiences truly reflect the needs and desires of the educational
community.

Student Voices

Furthermore, the influence of intersectionality in feminist teaching is
highlighted, addressing how this perspective is sought to be integrated
into different educational activities. The project strives to be an
inclusive meeting point where all people, with all their diversity, can
participate and connect in collective learning. In this sense, the voice
of students is essential, and they are encouraged to get involved in the
educational process, contributing their ideas and feelings, so that they
become not only recipients of knowledge, but also active agents of change.

The organization of such a project is interesting, given that it
includes a structure of student committees that are intended to act as
facilitators of collaborative work between different educational
centers. The goal is for the experience of common situations in
different contexts to foster solidarity and collaboration among
students, enabling them to jointly define actions that seek to assert
their rights in the educational sphere.

 From our perspective, it is key that these meetings allow young people
to acquire tools for self-organization, creating common networks and
strengthening the fight against the violence and harassment they
experience in their educational centers.

It is also important to highlight the importance of shared experiences
among education professionals, who come together to discuss their
concerns and challenges. This exchange allows teachers to identify their
needs and the changes they wish to implement in their classrooms, thus
strengthening the network of mutual support. The event's organization
emphasizes the idea that no one is alone in their struggle; a crucial
aspect in an educational context where the challenge can often make us
feel overwhelmed.

Empowerment

 From an empowerment perspective, participants are invited to reflect on
their own teaching-learning process and consider the ways in which they
can contribute to building an equitable, fair, supportive,
transformative, and rebellious education. This not only refers to access
to educational content, but also to creating a safe emotional and social
environment for all students. The relationship between the Feminist
Schools and institutional entities is approached with caution, as the
goal is to prevent them from becoming mere promoters of external agendas
that could dilute the educational commitment and core values of the project.

We emphasize that, while some institutions are willing to collaborate,
the primary focus must be the well-being of educational communities and
the emergence of their voices, without being influenced by bureaucratic
issues or outside interests. This perspective reaffirms the commitment
that work must be grassroots, ensuring that educational initiatives
emerge from the collective and real experiences of those who
participate. In this sense, a primary objective is to promote an
approach to education that enhances intersectionality and social change
based on everyday experiences in educational settings.

The project also contemplates a future-oriented approach with the
possibility of replication in other contexts, which could foster the
creation of a network linking different communities interested in
feminist education. This expresses the desire that these educational
experiences in specific contexts may serve as inspiration elsewhere and
become a reference within the field of feminist education.

At Embat, we want to resonate with hope and solidarity, emphasizing that
although the path is arduous, unity and collective work have proven to
be the key to facing adversity. Feminist Schools represent a living hope
within the educational landscape, where the community establishes itself
as a space for struggle and also for celebrating achievements.
Empowerment and networking among professionals, families, and students
are crucial forces for real change toward inclusive, equitable, and
transformative education, which is vital for the development of present
and future generations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we want to make it clear that feminist education is a
powerful strategy that seeks to transform the educational structure to
make it more inclusive, participatory, and free of violence. The project
highlights the importance of collaboration, the exchange of experiences,
and the need to maintain a constant commitment to social justice. The
goal is for everyone involved, from educators to students and families,
to contribute to building a future that embraces diversity, equity, and
social justice, in a space where everyone has a relevant role and feels
heard. These are undoubtedly necessary spaces for building an
educational system capable of meeting the needs of all stakeholders, a
constant challenge that requires the effort and dedication of everyone.

If you're interested in learning more, you can follow the project:

* https://www.escolesfeministes.org
* https://www.instagram.com/escoles.feministes/

https://www.regeneracionlibertaria.org/podcast/escoles-feministes-de-catalunya/
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