02.11.2021 Revisiting Vygotsky for Social Change

On November 2nd, 2021, the 8th meeting of the Moscow CHAT Reading Group “ReadingLive” took place on-line, in which three invited experts and co-authors delivered the presentation of the book «Revisiting Vygotsky for Social Change. Bringing Together Theory and Practice».

Adolfo Tanzi Neto, Head of the Department of Anglo-Germanic Languages, College, of Languages and Arts, at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, opened the session, drawing attention to the social challenges, that Covid-19 has made particularly acute across countries and continents. The invited expert introduced the book, which illustrates how Cultural-Historical Theory might stand for social justice and become a tool that triggers changes for a better life in different contexts.

Manolis Dafermos, Professor of Epistemology of Psychology at the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete, Greece, in his talk touched upon many social challenges of contemporary society, including social injustice in terms of education, environmentally friendly living opportunities, medical care and human rights. The professor outlined that similar challenges were once overcome in the Soviet Union due to the application of Vygotsky’s theory that finds resources for change in considering local traditions and practical interventions in community issues. Therefore, nowadays there is a strong demand for expanding Vygotsky’s legacy to face global contemporary needs by taking an active position in changing and transforming the existing patterns and practices. Applying mediation in education and inclusion processes, resolving contradictions and clashes, fostering agency and developing imagination in younger generations are the possible actions, encouraged by Vygotsky’s theory, that might prevent the humanity from economic, humanitarian and ecological collapses.

The meeting was continued by Fernanda Coelho Liberali, Teacher Educator, Researcher and Professor at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Brasil. The speaker spoke about Vygotsky’s theory as a cornerstone of social liberation and democratization, particularly focusing on the issue of alternative schooling. Viewing “Digit-Med-Project” and “Brincadas Project”, professor set examples of transformative practices with young people in pursue of constructing a new social order. Curriculum “de-encapsulation” designed for minority group students and disabled schoolchildren, gave them voice and audience to be heard. Under the pandemic, offline practices were transformed into listening-and-sharing online sessions that continued the struggle for elimination of social injustice and creating performative change.

The discussion touched upon various issues, including analysis of personal teaching experience of the participants, debate on the practical methods of engaging and encouraging for social change as well as experts’ comments and advice.

The discussion was moderated by Olga Rubtsova, PhD, Head of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Contemporary Childhood.

Relevant materials:

Tanzi Neto, A., Liberali, F., Dafermos, M. (2021). Revisiting Vygotsky for Social Change. New York, United States of America: Peter Lang Verlag. Retrieved Oct 8, 2021.

Video of the webinar is available on Youtube

Project Moderators

Olga Rubtsova

PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor, Head of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Contemporary Childhood, MSUPE

Anna Shvedovskaya

PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor, Head of Department of Information & Publishing Projects, MSUPE

About the project:

“ReadingLive” is a scientific and educational project, operated by:

Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Contemporary Childhood

International UNESCO Chair “Cultural-Historical Psychology of Childhood”

The International Journal “Cultural-Historical Psychology”

The University project “Vygotsky’s Library”

The project is aimed at psychologists, educators, researchers, students and all those interested in Cultural-Historical Psychology and Activity Approach. “ReadingLive” is a special setting, where people from all over the world are invited to read and discuss both classical and contemporary works, written in the framework of the Cultural-Historical Psychology and Activity Approach.

The information about meetings and video are here.

To read on the website