The NeVa Project
The NeVa project is comprised of researchers in Norway, England and Wales who together research the teaching and negotiation of vales in different national and cultural contexts.
Since 2015, schools in England have been required by law to promote the “Fundamental British Values,” whereas Norway implemented its “Core Values of the Education and Training” in the curriculum reform of 2020. Both countries present their values as universal, but the curriculum in Norway states that its values are explicitly rooted in “Christian and humanist heritage and traditions”.
The FBV and LK20 are connected to broader European debates on increased diversity, rising intolerance and populism.
What are the core values that should be promoted in schools in Norway and in England?
Core Values of Education in Norway (LK20):
https://www.udir.no/lk20/overordnet-del/opplaringens-verdigrunnlag/?lang=eng
The Norwegian curriculum lists six core values that all education in Norway is to be based on:
Human dignity; identity and cultural diversity; critical thinking and ethical awareness; the joy of creating, engagement and the urge to explore; respect for nature and environmental awareness; and democracy and participation.
The NeVa project focuses on the following three values:
Human dignity: that all people are equal regardless of what makes us different
Identity and cultural diversity: historical and cultural insight will provide a good foundation for pupils to preserve and develop his or her identity in an inclusive and diverse environment
Critical thinking and ethical awareness: applying reason in an inquisitive and systematic way when working with specific practical challenges, phenomena, expressions and forms of knowledge
Fundamental British Values (FBV)
The NeVa project also researches the four values listed as “British Fundamental Values” by the UK government:
Democracy: An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process
Rule of law: An appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their well-being and safety
Individual liberty: An understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
Mutual respect for and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs: An acceptance that people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.