Aristotelian ‘Paideia’ and Global Educational Challenges: Revisiting the Past to Plan for Sustainable Education in the 21st-Century

This roundtable forms part of a broader program of the same title, funded by the partnership of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI). The program seeks to highlight the vital role of the humanities in addressing contemporary global challenges in education, including those posed by technology and AI, while underscoring the importance of a holistic, values-based approach to both education and the personal development of young people. Its aim is to contribute to the development of a new theoretical framework for sustainable, high-quality education that meaningfully integrates AI. During the roundtable, Aristotle’s work on education (‘paideia’), well-being (‘eudaimonia’), ethics, politics, and their interrelationships will be brought into dialogue with both theoretical and empirically grounded insights from contemporary educational psychology, particularly in relation to the concept of “sustainable education”. Furthermore, a new proposal for ‘quality education’ leveraging AI will be discussed, aligned with Goal 4 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A central focus of the round table will be the importance of fostering the simultaneous development of intellect, character, and citizenship among today’s youth, with the overarching aim of promoting both individual flourishing and social well-being. The round table will be held in both English and Greek.