Theses
University of Amsterdam
| Title | The Museum as Enabler, The Role of Museums in the Climate Empowerment of Young People | |
|---|---|---|
| Author(s) | Stien Wouters |  |
| Supervisor(s) | Colin Sterling | |
| Year | 2022 | |
| Faculty | Faculty of Humanities (FGw) | |
| Programme | Duale master Erfgoedstudies | |
| Abstract | Building on Paolo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, I argue that children and young people can be seen as an oppressed group, having to suffer the impact of the climate crisis as consequence of the shortcomings of older generations. As a result of this adult inaction, young people have increasingly been suffering from climate anxiety, and thus, feel that they must take matters into their own hands in the hope of mitigating the climate crisis. Based on earlier research on the inherent strengths and responsibilities of museums, I assert that museums can be fitting institutions to act on the needs of young people. Specifically, this thesis reflects upon the different approaches that museums have been using so far to empower children and young people responding to the climate crisis. In this thesis, I discuss four different case studies - Natural History Museum, Framer Framed, the Klimaatmuseum, and the Climate Museum UK - and analyse their various activities through the lens of empowerment, using the definition of empowerment by Camilla Schreiner, Ellen Henriksen, and Pål Kirkeby Hansen and Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed. This analysis illustrates how each of these four museums approach climate empowerment in varying and diverse ways, with each focussing on different prerequisites of climate empowerment: the Natural History Museum focuses on providing information, Framer Framed on creating a safe atmosphere, the Klimaatmuseum on inspiring its visitors, and the Climate Museum UK on activating its participants. Comparing these four approaches, five reoccurring characteristics stand out: 1. creating a safe space for dialogue and practice, 2. presenting an open image of the future, 3. providing the necessary tools, attitudes, and skills, 4. engaging with local communities, and 5. supporting the creativity of young people. Based on these five elements, I propose an innovative approach for museums to engage with young people concerning the climate crisis: “the museum as an enabler,” centred around the enablement of young people in their own self-empowerment, taking action into their own hands – with the support of museums. | |
| Language | Undetermined | |
| Degree | master | |
| License | No license applied. Reading and citing allowed. Redistribution and reuse not permitted without permission from the author. | |
| Downloads |  6472709.pdf |
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| Available until | 2029-07-15 | |