Manifesto 15

Client: n/a
Location: Global
Year: 2015
Focus: Learning futures, global education reform, learner agency

A global call to rethink the purpose, design, and impact of education in the 21st century

Released in 2015, Manifesto 15 marked a turning point in international conversations about the future of education. Developed by Dr. John Moravec, the manifesto presented twelve clear statements challenging outdated assumptions about how, why, and for whom we educate. It positioned learning as a dynamic, lifelong process rooted in creativity, trust, and adaptability—rather than standardization and control. Manifesto 15 served as both a critique of the industrial-era education model and a guidepost for educators and systems seeking to build more meaningful learning futures.

Approach

The manifesto emerged from over a decade of research, global dialogue, and strategic foresight work led by Education Futures and its collaborators. Drawing on earlier publications including Invisible Learning and Knowmad Society, Manifesto 15 synthesized key insights into a concise format that was intentionally provocative and accessible. Its aim was not to dictate solutions, but to prompt deeper questions: What is education for? Who decides? And what futures are we preparing learners to enter—or to build?

The twelve points outlined in the manifesto offered a new framework for thinking about learning in a complex, fast-changing world. These included affirming learning as a human process beyond schooling, emphasizing learner agency and self-authorship, and acknowledging the need for open, trust-based education ecosystems. The document was translated into multiple languages and widely shared through global education networks, forming the basis for conference talks, workshops, and further publications.

Deliverables

The project produced:

• The Manifesto 15 publication in English, Spanish, and other languages
• A dedicated website and open-access platform for public sharing and adaptation
• Integration into courses, presentations, and foresight labs around the world
• Continued development through derivative works, including Manifesto 25
• A global reference point for educators, students, and policymakers interested in future-oriented learning design

Impact

Manifesto 15 played a foundational role in shaping the discourse around education futures. It helped popularize the idea that educational transformation requires more than reform—it demands reimagining. The manifesto was cited and used in over 20 countries, from grassroots learning projects to national-level education policy discussions. Its influence continues to be felt through initiatives that embrace trust, creativity, and learner agency as the foundation for meaningful education. As a living document, Manifesto 15 helped pave the way for its successor, Manifesto 25, and remains a reference point for those committed to reinventing learning for a changing world.