ABSTRACT
In this introductory chapter the editors present the background, purpose, and process of creating this book. They explicate their shared concerns and values, rooted in Nordic educational and societal values, but also in their engagement with international movements of critical pedagogy and social justice. Through this collection, their aim is to elicit international dialogue among artists, educators, scholars, and policy makers on the potential of the arts to instigate social change. Instead of presenting descriptive success stories, this volume depicts hardships, struggles, and failures, but also, and most significantly, celebrates the strength of individuals and communities who strive to work towards fair and just cultures and communities, but seldom get recognized beyond the immediate contexts. The chapter also delineates frameworks for this kind for artistic and pedagogical practice and outlines the overarching themes explored by the authors included in this volume. This introductory chapter illuminates how each author contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of hope, and asserts the profound meaning of hope for educators and artists working for social justice in distressed communities.
