and knowledge are tools that can help inspire possible futures of humanity and of the planet. The challenges of today’s world require innovative solutions beyond established sectoral approaches and disciplinary boundaries to re-purpose education for the future.
The stability of the planet could be enabled through the mobilization of education, and the diversity of knowledge, customs and culture. Research suggests that embedding a deep attachment to landscapes and tangible heritage instils a sense of care for the world, that the study, preservation and appreciation of diverse languages, knowledge and customs enrich the collective consciousness through an understanding of the relations between past, present and future societies. Education plays a role to include sustainability studies as a means of driving planetary survival. Earth science and environment studies enable learners and communities to become more cognizant of the world they inhabit and leave behind. A ‘community of knowledge’ is one in which the responsibility of being a ‘knowledge keeper’ is returned to everyone. This paradigm shifts the focus from the perspective of ‘stakeholder’ and changes the way of contributing to knowledge, aiming to achieve sustainable development. The future of education supports the cognitive practices of the groups and communities that recreate the values of their landscapes through the practices of cultural appreciation and symbolic recognition of places.
Rethinking learning systems can foster inclusive and social cohesion. For example, cross-cutting digital and physical spaces facilitate the sharing of knowledge. Such collaborative learning spaces are a means to explore mathematics and art education while fostering collective imagination. Rethinking and adopting new internationalized learning systems will cultivate a culture of responsible citizenship and equity that legitimizes different ways of knowing, particularly those that lie outside of traditional Western paradigms.
With artificial intelligence, technology is increasingly involved in education. New digital competencies and media literacies call for a gender transformative approach to the digitization and utilization of artificial intelligence. Unlocking digital barriers through open educational resources enables global online learning and facilitate education for all. Media and communication students will require ethics courses to establish their critical thinking skills and training. This will be crucial in a ‘fake news’ era when trust in media professionals is being eroded, especially when news and documentary production is impacted by the capacity of AI to manufacture authentic-looking ‘fake’ material. For instance, researchers at the University of Washington have created algorithms based on hours of video footage and audio recordings to create realistic lip-synced videos of Barack Obama.
Knowledge and transformation
Envisioning the futures of education through transforming how people view education and the role of learning institutions in fostering change. Teaching of futures literacy can prepare learners to become more open and ready to face an unknown future. Reimagining the possibilities of vocational education and training fulfills human needs and reaches beyond industrial work and the provision of income. Lifelong counseling supports people in their careers and personal endeavours so they can become constructive agents of their own reality.
UNESCO's initiative
UNESCO’s Futures of Education initiative mobilizes the many ways of being and knowing in order to leverage humanity’s collective intelligence. It relies on a consultative process that involves youth, educators, civil society, governments, business and other stakeholders. The mobilization and contribution of the network of UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs is a key part of the process of engagement. The work is being guided by a high-level International Commission of leaders from diverse fields and different regions of the world. In November 2021, the commission plans to publish a report designed to share how education and learning can enable individuals to become what they want to become.
