New UNESCO education report calls for ‘new social contract’ 

In its new global report published on Thursday, titledReshaping our future together: a new social contract for educationThe agency is proposing answers to these three important questions.

More than one million people participated in the global consultation process that informed the report, which calls for a major change to rectify past injustices and increase our ability to work together for a more sustainable and just future.

two years in the making, UNESCO The publication seeks to start a global debate and movement to create a new contract between parents, children and teachers around the world.

turn

According to the agency, the world is at a turning point and global inequalities mean that education is yet to fulfill its promise to help shape a peaceful, just and sustainable future.

High living standards co-exist with inequalities and, even though the public class remains largely active, “the fabric of civil society and democracy is breaking down in many places around the world.”

For UNESCO, rapid technological changes are also life-changing, but these innovations “are not sufficiently directed at equality, inclusion and democratic participation.”

“Therefore we must re-imagine education”, argues the report.

‘Urgent’ rethinking

During the twentieth century, public education was largely intended to support national citizenship and development efforts through compulsory schooling for children and youth.

Today, however, as the world faces serious risks to the future, UNESCO believes “We must re-invent urgent education to help address these common challenges.”

In that context, the agency is calling for a new social contract that would unite the world around “collective efforts and provide the knowledge and innovation needed to shape a sustainable and peaceful future for all rooted in social, economic and environmental justice.” Do.”

It should also “champion the role played by teachers”, the report said.

The major principle

For UNESCO, this new social contract must be based on the broad principles that underpin human rights, such as inclusion and equality, cooperation and solidarity.

The agency says it should also be governed by two fundamental principles: ensuring the right to quality education throughout life and strengthening education as a public good.

Rising social and economic inequality, climate change, loss of biodiversity, democratic backwardness and disruptive technological automation are some of the challenges that have been highlighted.

“The way we currently organize education around the world is not enough to ensure a just and peaceful society, a healthy planet, and shared progress that benefits all. In fact, some of our difficulties are ours. arise because of being educated”, says the report.

New Ideas

The publication contains some proposals to renew the field.

To begin with, pedagogy – the practice of teaching – needs to emphasize collaboration, collaboration and solidarity rather than focus on teacher-driven lessons focused on individual achievement, argues UNESCO.

Curriculum, often arranged as a grid of subjects, needs to emphasize ecological, intercultural and interdisciplinary learning.

Teaching needs to move “as an individual practice, as a collaborative effort, and to become more professional.”

The publication calls on schools to “preserve essential global institutions”, but argues that the world should “redefine universal models and schools, including architecture, spaces, timing, timetables and student groups”. must be involved in a variety of ways.”

The agency concluded by saying that the report is “more an invitation to think and imagine than a blueprint”, and should answer questions in communities, countries, schools, educational programs and systems around the world.