FHM Leads the Way in “Care Humanities” - New Initiatives Unveiled at QS Summit 2024 by Dean Prof Erni

FHM Dean Prof John Erni championed a renewed global focus on care in education, arts, and culture during his address at the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2024 held in Macau from 5 to 7 November 2024. He emphasised the historical centrality of care to human life and relationships, highlighting its crucial role in addressing contemporary challenges such as environmental sustainability, social harmony, and individual well-being. He argued that the ongoing world issues and socioeconomic uncertainties have further amplified the importance of care, creating urgent new thinking that should align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. He introduced the philosopher and ethicist Maurice Hamington’s concept of a “care ethics moment” to urge a concerted effort to prioritise care across educational institutions, communities, and governments. At EduHK, Prof Erni’s projects is in fact building upon existing initiatives, such as positive psychology programmes and the “EDUHK CARES” scheme, demonstrating FHM’s commitment to this value.

As Dean of FHM, Prof Erni outlined how this renewed and expanded focus on care will shape the Faculty's future development. The “care humanities” framework, as he calls it, will serve as a catalyst for research, intellectual innovation, and new academic programmes in areas such as language education, linguistics, literature, environmental humanities, and cultural studies. His projects offer training workshops and youth leadership and volunteering programmes, as well as a longitudinal study of the “pedagogy of care”, fostering a culture of care within EdUHK and extending its impact to pre- and in-service teachers as well as the broad general public. This focus on care will also inform knowledge transfer endeavours and international research collaborations, solidifying FHM’s position as a leader in this emerging field.

His speech sparked lively discussions among the audience. Participants from various cultural background engaged in a spirited exchange with Prof Erni, exploring the multifaceted nature of care and its implications for diverse educational disciplines across different contexts. The ensuing dialogue highlighted both the universal relevance of care and the importance of culturally sensitive approaches to its implementation.

Prof Erni’s emphasis on care resonates deeply with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to create a fairer, more equitable, and sustainable world. By prioritising care in education, arts, and culture, we can cultivate empathy, compassion, and a sense of shared responsibility for the well-being of individuals and the planet. This humanistic approach to care is essential not only for navigating current global challenges but also for shaping a future where human flourishing is intertwined with environmental sustainability and social harmony. The “care humanities” framework offers a powerful lens through which to address these complex issues and build a more caring and sustainable future for all living beings on Earth. 

Prof Erni exchanging with the audience

Prof Erni unpacking “care humanities” at QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2024