Why we need Global Education

As a result of many ties of interdependence among countries, the world we live in has evolved into a globalised system. Recent history unquestionably shows that the lives of the men and women of this planet may be affected by events and processes thousands of kilometres away. World-wide economic, geopolitical and social relations, modern communications and technologies, media and transport allow a fast flow of information. People and goods are both causes and characteristics of globalization as a process that leads to an interdependent world and to what nowadays is called globalization.

Globalisation poses fundamental challenges for all areas of education in every country. it provides access to people, cultures, economies and languages in a new way. In this context education on global issues may be regarded purely in market driven terms as enhancing the skills and knowledge to be efficient consumers and workers in the global economy, for those who have access to the market. However, the importance of education lies in helping people recognise their role and individual and collective responsibilities as active members of this global community in the sense of engagement for social and economic justice for all and the protection and restoration of the earth’s ecosystems. Global education is the pedagogical concept behind this vision.

Education System In India

Here we can quote a perspective of US President Barack Obama on the concept of global education. He believes:

 “A GLOBAL EDUCATED STUDENT CAN:

·         Investigate the World

·         Generate and explain the significance of locally, regionally or globally focused researchable questions.

·         Identify, collect and analyze the knowledge and evidence required to answer questions using a variety of international sources, media and languages.

·         Weigh, integrate and synthesize evidence collected to construct coherent responses that is appropriate to the context of issues or problems.

·         Develop an argument based on compelling evidence that considers multiple perspectives and draws defensible conclusions.

Global education is about implementing the vision required to move to a model of partnership between peoples, cultures and religions at micro and macro levels. Transformative learning through global education involves a deep, structural shift in the basic premises of thoughts, feelings and actions. It is an education for the mind as well as for the heart. This implies a radical change towards interconnectedness and creates possibilities for achieving more equality, social justice, understanding and cooperation amongst peoples.”

Global education aims at developing learning communities, in which learners and educators are encouraged to work cooperatively on global issues and it promotes participation in action. In other words, it invites educators and learners to act dynamically for a more just and equal world for all.