Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education is a comprehensive report by UNESCO’s International Commission on the Futures of Education. Published in 2021, this visionary document addresses the urgent need to transform education systems globally to meet the challenges of our interconnected world and build sustainable futures. The report, developed through extensive global consultation, proposes a new social contract for education grounded in human rights and focused on repairing injustices while preparing for an uncertain future.
Recommended for: Educators, policymakers, researchers, students, and anyone interested in the future of education and its role in shaping society. It offers valuable insights for those involved in educational reform, sustainable development, and social justice initiatives. The report is particularly relevant for individuals and organizations working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 4 on quality education.
You will:
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the current global education landscape and its challenges
• Explore innovative ideas for transforming education systems to address future needs
• Learn about the proposed new social contract for education and its key principles
• Discover ways to implement educational changes that promote peace, justice, and sustainability
• Engage with thought-provoking concepts on the role of education in shaping our collective future
• Access a starting point for discussions and actions to reimagine education in your context
Detailed Overview
Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education is a landmark report that emerges at a critical juncture in human history. It recognizes that our world faces unprecedented challenges, including climate change, technological disruption, and social inequalities, which are further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report argues that education, while a powerful force for positive change, must undergo a significant transformation to address these issues effectively and create a more sustainable, just, and peaceful world.
The report is the culmination of a two-year process involving extensive global consultations with approximately one million people. This inclusive approach ensures that the report reflects diverse perspectives and experiences from around the world, making it a truly global vision for the future of education.
At the heart of the report is the call for a new social contract for education. This concept acknowledges that the current educational models and systems are inadequate to meet the complex challenges of the 21st century and beyond. The proposed social contract is founded on several key principles:
- Human rights and non-discrimination: Education must be accessible to all and free from any form of discrimination.
- Social justice: The new contract aims to address and rectify historical and current injustices in education systems.
- Respect for life and human dignity: Education should foster a deep appreciation for the value of all life and human dignity.
- Cultural diversity: The contract emphasizes the importance of embracing and learning from diverse cultural perspectives.
- Care, reciprocity, and solidarity: These values are seen as essential for building strong, supportive educational communities.
The report envisions education as a public endeavor and a common good, highlighting the need for collective responsibility in shaping educational futures. It challenges stakeholders at all levels – from governments and institutions to citizens and communities – to participate in forging this new social contract.
While providing a comprehensive vision, the report is not prescriptive. Instead, it serves as a starting point for conversations and actions, recognizing that the implementation of its ideas must be contextualized to diverse local realities. The report highlights existing “bright spots” – innovative educational practices and policies already making a difference – and builds upon these examples to inspire further action.
The document is structured to address various aspects of education, including curriculum, teaching methods, the role of technology, and the importance of lifelong learning. It emphasizes the need for education to go beyond academic knowledge and skills to include social-emotional learning, critical thinking, and values that promote global citizenship and sustainable development.
One of the report’s strengths is its forward-looking approach. It doesn’t just address current educational challenges but anticipates future needs and scenarios. This foresight is crucial in preparing learners for a rapidly changing world where many of the jobs and challenges they will face don’t yet exist.
The report is available in multiple languages, including English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Catalan, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Latvian, Mongolian, and Portuguese. This multilingual approach ensures wide accessibility and reflects the report’s global nature and relevance.
UNESCO’s Reimagining our futures together is more than just a report; it’s a call to action. It invites everyone involved in education – from policymakers to parents, teachers to students – to rethink and reshape education for the betterment of individuals, societies, and the planet. By proposing a new social contract for education, the report provides a framework for transformative change that can help address global challenges and create more equitable, sustainable, and peaceful futures for all.
The report acknowledges that reimagining education is a collective effort that requires ongoing dialogue, experimentation, and adaptation. It encourages readers to engage with its ideas, adapt them to local contexts, and contribute to the ongoing global conversation about the futures of education. In doing so, it positions education not just as a means of personal development but as a critical tool for societal transformation and global progress.
Citation and Licensing
International Commission on the Futures of Education. UNESCO. (2021). Reimagining our Futures Together. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/reimagining-our-futures-together-new-social-contract-education
This ebook is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Intergovernmental Organization (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO). The full licence terms are available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/