Introducing "FreshUp Economics: Towards Economic Literacy in Europe"

As Covid-19 and climate change continue to drastically reshape our world, questions of economic justice are more urgent than ever. One of the major challenges to achieving this is finding a way to help citizens better understand the economy; so they can question mainstream assumptions, and feel confident standing up for economic alternatives. 

Financial Justice Ireland are pleased to be taking part in "FreshUp Economics: Towards Economic Literacy in Europe," an Erasmus+ adult education project which aims to expand the provision of high quality education on economics for adult learners, with an emphasis on alternatives to the mainstream. 

The economy affects us all, and yet many people do not understand how it operates. But this is not inevitable: people can understand the economy, with the right tools.

This is the aim of our two-year project.

To this end, adult educators, together with economists from different schools of thoughts, from Austria, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Poland, Spain and Germany are working together to build an online learning platform which trainers and educators can find tools and activities to facilitate adult learning on economics. 

Our focus is on the following topics:

• Examining different schools of economic thinking Money and where it comes from
• The relationship between the state and the market
• Inequality, justice & diversity
• Economic growth
• Economic strategies for responding to crises: austerity or investment?
• The future of Europe: competition and/or cooperation?
• Sovereign debt in the economy, and the Irish debt crisis
• The effects of tax evasion on the Global South,
• Public goods and social welfare
• Climate Change
• Feminist economics
• Empowering women through coaching and entrepreneurial skills
• Migration and the economy: Do refugees really take away the work of others?

The primary information on each issue is written for the beginner. More detailed background notes are provided alongside this, for those seeking a deeper understanding or, indeed, those educating others. In addition, adult educators will find relevant educational activities and tools to accompany each topic. We hope these will encourage educators to bring economic issues their work.

The first parts of the learning platform will be published in late 2020. For more information, we encourage you to keep a watch on the FreshUp Economics website.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

ERASMUS+ FOR ADULTS

The Erasmus+ programme of the European Union enables adult educators to develop innovative material together, share its didactical competencies, make learning experiences abroad and create European networks. For more info see the website of the National Agency in your country, https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/contact/national-agencies_en

RESPONSIBILITY

The European Commission’s support for the production of this website does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.