From the Publisher
“Few educators deserve praise and recognition more than Janusz Korczak. Dr. Berding’s Educating for Justice offers fresh insights into how Korczak sought justice in living with children. This included an ethos of respect for the child (as well as the rights of the child), by means of active participation—which Korczak conveyed through his Children’s Court. Educating for Justice makes clear that pedagogy is more than an act of teaching, but one of advocacy and love for children everywhere.” (Daniel L. Berek, M.A., M.A.T., Teacher of students with disabilities and contributor to Janusz Korczak. A bibliography 1939-2012)
“For Berding, Korczak’s justice education centers round creating a voice for the voiceless. Children, like many oppressed groups, are often silenced. When children are given voice, they are heard, respected, and their thoughts and ideas inform action. In this book, Berding explores the concrete structures, including the Children’s Court and Newspaper, that Korczak implemented to empower children, even under the most dire circumstances. This work is a richly detailed study into the life and thought of one of the most important educators of the 20th century, whose topicality cannot be underestimated.” (Kristin Poppo, Ph.D., Provost, Alfred State College)
“Dr. Joop Berding has been inspired by Dr. Janusz Korczak’s insights for over 35 years. His book is an invaluable resource for parents and educators who, deep inside, know that both parenting and educational systems need an overhaul. Dr. Berding’s book presents to them, in an easy to implement and well organized way, key values needed to do their job well while interacting with young people with respect, encouraging their participation and teaching them about justice.” (Mariola Strahlberg, MS, LAc is a founder and president of the Janusz Korczak Association of the USA)
“This new book by a famous researcher Joop Berding makes a valuable contribution to the study of Janusz Korczak, one of the greatest minds of the pedagogy of children’s rights in the 20th century, whose ideas have become critically important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Korczak’s practice demonstrates how in the most dire circumstances teachers should promote students’ full participation based on respect and justice. Learning about Korczak will make readers more knowledgeable about their inner strengths and more aware about ways to develop students’ resilience and creativity.” (Tatyana Tsyrlina-Spady, PhD, Adjunct Professor, School of Education, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA)
“Why should we study what Janusz Korczak wrote many years ago? Korczak asks questions about children and their role in the world. He doesn’t give ready answers, beside this one – that a child is a human, just a smaller one. And that’s why it deserves respect, just treatment and active participation in the world. Korczak stands up for the rights, the dignity and the citizenship of children. Korczak’s pedagogical thought is still fresh, innovative and revolutionary. And above all – inspiring. Educating for Justice is a guide to pedagogics of respect and empathy.” (Dr Marek Michalak, Chairperson of the International Korczak Association)
“Joop Berding presents Korczak’s humanistic educational approach to the child – to the person. He opens the way for the reader to understand every aspect of this approach. Joop Berding’s writing shows his sensitivity and ability to touch on each point. Sketching Korczak as a person who fights for the rights of children and their right to take an active part in the educational process, places emphasis on the importance of the book for educators, parents and any adult who has an impact on the life of youngsters
.” (Batia Gilad, Former Chairperson of the International Korczak Association, Chairperson of the Korczak Educational Center in Israel)
“Janusz Korczak. Educating for Justice gives us a true insight to the work of Janusz Korczak, doing justice to the person, physician, philosopher, author and pedagogue. We become acquainted with his life, philosophy, literary creation, and educational accomplishment, which are relevant to the humanist mission of education everywhere. It is thanks to such studies of Korczak’s life that we are now aware of his educational accomplishments, the principles of his educational teaching and his literary writings. This book tells the story of a unique educator whose relevance to education today stands as firm as ever.” (Dr. Avi Tsur, The Korczak Education Center, Israel)
“Janusz Korczak. Educating for Justice
is a passionately written book devoted to Korczak’s contribution to the world of pedagogy and education. The book will appeal to people who may notknow much about Korczak as well as those who studied and know him well. It is because of the systemic analysis of Korczak’s contribution to pedagogy and education in the context of socio-political structures that Berding captures and fully reinforces Korczak’s uniqueness. I recommend this book to all educators, philosophers of education and students as well as those concerned with creating a better world for children and adults.” (Malgorzata Kmita, Former Secretary General of the International Korczak Association, Former President of Mental Health Europe)