2 - Critical challenges facing humanity

Summary

“The changes in the world today are characterized by new levels of complexity and contradiction. These changes generate tensions for which education is expected to prepare individuals and communities by giving them the capability to adapt and respond.” UNESCO (2015c: 2)

Navigating uncertainty

Modern society confronts people with sights, sounds and events that are multicultural, historically complex, morally diverse and, often, unrelated to their previous experiences. Changes have taken place around the globe which have altered the structure of people's interests (what people think about); altered the nature of symbols (what people think with); and altered the nature of one's community (the area in which people think). It is an age that challenges traditional attitudes and actions and shakes the very foundation of previous conceptions of what it means to be contented, responsible individuals. The process of designing one's life, dealing with one's emotions and learning to participate in society has become extremely elaborate and, for some, distressing. Learning to deal with the complex and often fear-inducing social and environmental problems that confront individuals and communities is a crucial aspect of education.

Identity and belonging

Historically, an individual's identity was determined by parentage, geography, social class or religion. These coordinates, which for centuries were relatively static, have become increasingly fluid. The traditional family consisting of a biological father, mother and children who continue to live together in the same place they have always lived is no longer the norm. The average US household moves more than 11 times. In Ghana, over 60 per cent of households have at least one migrant member in urban areas (Teye 2018). Globally in 2019, there were 281 million international migrants, as well as approximately 169 million migrant workers, many of whom had families and few of whom lived in their countries of origin (ILO 2019). Additionally, wars and environmental disasters have resulted in 82 million forcibly displaced persons (UNHCR 2022). Millions of children are raised and educated far from their place of birth or without significant members of their family present. Whereas schools are ideally considered to be safe arenas of personal and social development that contribute to the formation of the child's identity, that is not necessarily the case. Many students encounter language difficulties, prejudice, ostracization, bullying and violence (UNESCO 2019a).