Children’s lived worlds are undergoing change. Global crises, technological developments and processes of social transformation are having a profound impact on the everyday lives of primary school children. Issues such as migration, climate change, digitalisation and questions relating to social inequality and personal health are shaping children’s lived worlds and, consequently, General Studies. What learning opportunities must be provided for children so that they can increasingly find their way independently in this volatile world? And how must the relevant skills, knowledge and practical requirements be differentiated?

General Studies is called upon to respond to these challenges. In particular, children from socially disadvantaged families, children with a family history of migration, and children facing health challenges must be given greater attention and support within the school context. General Studies can make an important contribution to participation and equality of opportunity here if it provides appropriate structures and content that are relevant to these life contexts – and remain so in the future.

In this context, the question arises as to the specific design of learning spaces. These are increasingly digital in nature and thus open up innovative (learning) opportunities. Computing Science and computational thinking are emerging as significant skills for the future; however, they simultaneously raise new questions about how the child-centred, reflective and, above all, critical use of media can be successfully achieved in primary school.

Within this context of tension, the study of history is also taking on new dimensions: in a world full of ambiguities, it helps children to understand change, make sense of crises and find their bearings in the past, present and future.

These far-reaching changes call for a future-proof teacher training programme that, on the one hand, equips teachers with subject-specific knowledge and, on the other, helps them understand their role as part of an education system that is profoundly affected by processes of social transformation. These processes are already taking place in children’s everyday lives.

The GDSU conference 2027 invites participants to discuss these open questions together. We are seeking theoretical, empirical and practice-oriented contributions that demonstrate how General Studies can be designed to focus on children’s lived experiences – shaped, amongst other things, by crises, technology and migration – and to empower them to participate actively and confidently in society.