Abstract

The publication is a product of the research group, which studies education and multicultural issues from an ethical viewpoint. The group members especially analyse various justice-, equity- and growth-hindering constructions in pedagogical relationships and processes. In this report the group particularly discusses the challenges of diversity, inequity and injustice from three perspectives: 1) ethnicity, 2) spirituality/worldviews and 3) gender and sexuality. Two additional and current discussion topics — information technology and ability-disability -dimension have also been included in the selection of articles. The themes have been analysed in varied settings but special attention has been paid to teacher education, which is considered an important means to change the course of education.

The articles are very different as to their nature: some are introductions to the researcher’s research theme, others philosophical discussions or presentations of results. As a whole, the articles introduce the research themes of the group and the stage where various people are in their study. Many common concepts emerge; either to describe the inequitable structures and processes or the way out towards a more just and equal school and society. Diversity, otherness, monoacculturation, hegemony, ethnocentrism, androcentrism, marginalisation, emancipation, and human rights and responsibilities are examples of such concepts. As to pedagogy, the concepts are more theme-specific; one, however, is shared by the group members. That is transformative pedagogy.