The GOETE project aims at re-connecting different concepts, traditions and perspectives of education. The German concept of ‘Bildung’ refers to the reflexive process of an individual realising its human potential and of becoming a subjective agent by actively exploring the material and social world.

The GOETE project contributes to educational theory by re-connecting different concepts of education. The focus lies on the social aspects of education: does education still contribute to social integration and is it still socially integrated? This implies, first, asking whether individuals have access to education across different life phases and especially during life course transitions; second, whether individuals can cope with educational demands and procedures; third, whether education is relevant, in providing systemically and biographically necessary skills, knowledge and competencies.