The Paris Declaration postulates the equality of recognition practices: just as informal learning is not an inferior form of learning, informal recognition is not an inferior form of recognition.
The equality of recognition practices, whether informal or formal, is not justified by comparing the intrinsic value of each type of recognition. On the contrary, it is a question of recognising the richness and complementarity of the different recognition practices and their unique contribution to the development of individuals and the collectives to which they contribute. This is a fundamental question of fairness.
Recognition is a fundamental human practice
Learning to recognise is as important as learning to learn.Everyone has the power to recognise
The act of recognising is not the sole privilege of accredited institutions or authorities.The act of recognising is a potentially emancipatory act
Recognition, when it is authentic and reciprocal, acts as an emancipatory act, both for the person who initiates the recognition and for the person who accepts it.Trust is intrinsic to recognition
Recognition creates trust relationships, which, when woven together, form the fabric of trust networks conducive to the empowerment of their participants.Recognition is an ethic
Recognition practices can be susceptible to bias based on race, gender, socioeconomic background, or other factors. It’s crucial to develop recognition systems that are fair, equitable, and inclusive.The act of recognising is a social act
Mutual recognition within groups, professional networks, organisations and communities fosters social cohesion, the sharing of experience and the construction of collective knowledge.Recognition has an individual and collective impact
The recognition of a member of a collective contributes to the recognition of the collective just as the recognition of a collective contributes to the recognition of its members.
In addition to the principles described above, the Paris Declaration also emphasises the importance of developing practices, technologies and policies that facilitate the valorisation of all forms of recognition, whether informal, non-formal or formal, individual or collective.
In conclusion, the Paris Declaration proposes an ambitious vision for a world where all forms of recognition have value. By recognising the diversity of paths to recognition and by strengthening the power of recognition of individuals, the Paris Declaration contributes to building a fairer and more open society.
References
Bologna Declaration for Open Recognition (2016): published in 2016 during the ePIC conference, the declaration coined the term ‘Open Recognition’ “encourag[ing] everyone—learners, educators, citizens and organisations—to actively participate in and take ownership of the emerging open recognition movement.” At this date, 131 Organisations and 471 individuals have signed the declaration.
Open Recognition Charter “For an ethic of recognition” (2020): based on the Bologna Declaration for Open Recognition, “The signatories of the Open Recognition Charter recognise the need for open recognition in all areas of life, whether educational, social or professional.” Region Normandy (France) was the first signatory of the charter in 2022.
Badges Numériques : le Livre Blanc: The white paper “Badges Numériques : le Livre Blanc” (Digital Badges: The White Paper) published by the Comité National des Acteurs des Badges Numériques explores the concept of digital badges, their origins, functions, and potential applications in various domains. It delves into the benefits of digital badges as a means of recognising and validating skills, knowledge, and competencies acquired through diverse learning experiences.
We come to the world primed to connect and collaborate, we come to the world primed to recognise. Recognition is not just a need, the need to be recognised, it is also an ability, the ability to recognise, a condition for knowing oneself, others and the world.