Global Challenges for Education: Economics, Environment and Emergency

Global recession, climate change, conflict and emergency are challenges that have dominated the first decade of the 21st century. They have left few countries untouched. Governments are struggling to redress declining trade, brain drain and loss of revenues. People are migrating from poverty, the effects of drought and flood, and the repercussions of conflict. At the same time, we are witnessing a fundamental power shift in the global political economy. This poses particular challenges for low income countries and their future development.

Education risks being a casualty of these uncertainties. It is a catalyst for growth, environmental protection and peace-building, but it can also marginalise groups. Education is insufficiently central to the debates on global challenges in the 21st century – its voice must be heard.