Paulo Freire and popular education: community education perspective

Abstract

Paulo Freire’s popular education has a precise historical connotation; nevertheless, it offers interesting ideas for contemporary community education. Over the years Freire's original theory has required various adjustments and problematizations, but his thought is still fruitful because it stimulates us new questions and reflections. Community education, in some experiences in Italy and in the world, can receive useful lessons from the problems posed by Freire. The community educator today faces various challenges and can find elements in the Freirian tradition to face them. In the conclusion I highlight that one of these is the challenge of the territorial marginality.