A global initiative to reimagine how knowledge and can shape the future of humanity and the planet Thinking together so we can act together to make the futures we want

UNESCO’s Futures of Education initiative aims to rethink education and shape the future. The initiative is catalyzing a global debate on how knowledge, education and learning need to be reimagined in a world of increasing complexity, uncertainty, and precarity.

THE CONTEXT THE VISION

With accelerated climate change, the fragility of Knowledge and learning are humanity’s greatest our planet is becoming more and more apparent. renewable resources for responding to challenges Persistent inequalities, social fragmentation, and and inventing alternatives. Education does more political extremism are bringing many societies to a than respond to a changing world. Education point of crisis. Advances in digital communication, transforms the world. artificial , and biotechnology have great potential but also raise serious ethical and governance concerns, especially as promises of A GLOBAL CONSULTATION innovation and technological change have an uneven record of contributing to human flourishing. This initiative mobilizes the many rich ways of being and knowing in order to leverage humanity’s THE AIM collective intelligence. It relies on a broad, open consultative process that involves youth, educators, Looking to 2050 and beyond, the Futures of civil society, governments, business and other Education initiative seeks to reimagine how stakeholders. The work is being guided by a high- education and knowledge can contribute to the level International Commission of thought-leaders global common good. The initiative will catalyze a from diverse fields and different regions of the world. global debate on how knowledge and learning can In November 2021, the commission will publish a shape the future of humanity and the planet. report designed to share a forward-looking vision on how education and learning can enable us to become what we want to become.

AN INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION will be the latest in a series of global reports commissioned by UNESCO at key historical junctures The Director–General of UNESCO has convened an of societal transformation to reframe the purpose of independent International Commission comprised education in a changing world. of thought-leaders from the worlds of politics, academia, the arts, science, business, and education. BUILDING ON A HUMANISTIC TRADITION Working under the leadership of Her Excellency Ms Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal The global 2021 report on the futures of education Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the commission will build on the humanistic approach to education will carefully consider inputs received from the laid out in previous UNESCO reports. The first of consultation process and collectively rethink the these reports, Learning to Be: the world of education role of education, learning and knowledge in light today and tomorrow (1972) already warned of the of the tremendous challenges and opportunities risks of inequalities, privation and suffering, and of predicted, possible, and preferred futures of emphasized the need for the continued expansion humanity and the planet. of education and for lifelong learning. This was followed by the 1996 Learning: The treasure within GLOBAL REPORT TO BE RELEASED IN 2021 report that proposed an integrated vision of education around the four pillars: learning to be, Building on a broad process of consultation with learning to know, learning to do, and learning to live diverse stakeholders, as well as a comprehensive together in a lifelong perspective. More recently, review of existing evidence, the commission will the 2015 Rethinking Education: Towards a Global present analysis and recommendations in the form Common Good report reframed the purpose of of a report, which can serve as an agenda for policy education as enhancing and sustaining the dignity dialogue and action at multiple levels. Looking at and capacity of the human person in relation to the year 2050 and beyond, the Futures of Education others and to nature. TIMELINE AND PHASES

isioning Synthesis Report Debate research feedback launch outreach

Oct 2019 – Sep 2020 Oct 2020 – Mar 2021 Nov 2021 Dec 2021 & beyond

Discussion of educational Deliberation on initial visions Release of report at 41st Ongoing debate on how challenges and opportunities and strategies proposed by General Conference of knowledge and learning envisioned for 2050 and the International Commission UNESCO can shape the future of beyond humanity and the planet UNESCO Education Sector The Gloal Education genda Education is UNESCO’s top priority because it is UNESCO, as the United Nations’ specialized UNESCOa basic Educationhuman right Sector and the foundation on which Get involvedagency for education, is entrusted to lead and Educationto build ispeace UNESCO’s and drive top priority sustainable because development. it is a The processcoordinate of developing the Education the Futures 2030 of Education Agenda, which is basicUNESCO human is rightthe United and the Nations’ foundation specialized on which agency to global reportpart ofis abouta global sparking movement conversations to eradicate poverty build peace and drive . on how knowledge and learning can shape for education and the Education Sector provides through 17 Sustainable Development Goals by UNESCO is the United Nations’ specialized agency for the futures we want. Inputs from individuals, educationglobal and and regional the Education leadership Sector in provides education, global networks,2030. and Education,organizations essential will inform to achieve the work all of these andstrengthens regional leadership national ineducation education, systems strengthens and of the Internationalgoals, has its Commission own dedicated and shape Goal the4, which aims to nationalresponds education to contemporary systems and global responds challenges to global debate.“ensure For inclusive more information and equitable on how quality to education contemporarythrough education global challenges with a special through focus education on get involvedand promotevisit our website: lifelong http://unesco.org/ learning opportunities for all.” with a special focus on equality and Africa. futuresofeducation gender equality and Africa. The Education 2030 Framework for Action provides guidance for the implementation of this ambitious goal and commitments.

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