Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

We learn though this article that "UNESCO is inviting researchers, educators, and practitioners to contribute 1000-2000 word think-pieces that explore, from different perspectives, the governance imperatives of a new social contract for education." Elena Toukan here argues that "the socio-political agreement at the heart of education systems requires reimagination, to probe why, how and for what purpose education is organized." The article argues for "principles of a new social contract for education that sees education as a human right and a common good, reflecting a wide diversity of ways of knowing." These are in contrast to the idea of "generating a productive workforce and rallying national identity" and "neoliberal trends in education that elevated the human capital rationale of educational investment." One wonders, do we need to agree with this perspective in our submissions? Must our view be "characterized by cooperation and solidarity, concerned with widespread participation and the establishment of trust, and committed to justice in all of its aspects?" Or is there another frame that might capture a more global perspective?

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Mar 28, 2024 3:10 p.m.

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