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Students sit in school everyday dreaming of what they might be when they grow up. But in an increasingly globalized world, will there be more choice or less? Will they have one career or many?
Economic and social borders have been opening up for decades. Now we see this spurred on by an even faster rate of technological change.
While globalization presents opportunities, it also presents challenges that are manifesting in often unpredictable ways.
What was once an apocalyptic vision of robots taking our jobs, is already a serious consideration for accountants and taxi drivers alike.
Students need to be equipped to shape their paths within an uncertain and complex future. At the same time we need to be open to global connections and collaboration rather than retreating into fear and isolation.
While the movement for these broader global skills is being recognized, education systems worldwide are still being outpaced by this rapid social and economic change fueled by global technology, financial systems and trade.
As everyone races to catch-up with new trends, this will have the effect of reinforcing current divides between marginalized and wealthy students both within and between countries.
Even as we feel that the world is getting smaller and more connected, the socio-political responses have tended to be more isolationist.
The ongoing USA — China trade battle is a good example of how countries are looking inwards for solutions. We cannot do the same for education.
All of us need to imagine a worldview that does not exasperate the notions of inequality and competition. A perspective that breeds understanding and builds towards a new future based on collaboration and shared prosperity.
How do we give students the education to take control of their future?
Access to secondary education is key to minimizing these divides. Based on current trends, by 2030 in low-income countries, only one out of 10 young people will be on track to gain basic secondary-level skills
At the same time, it is the quality of the education system that will make the difference.
Students not only need a place to learn, they need educational approaches and resources that prepare them with global skills and mindsets.
Education that focus on students ability to be adaptable, creative and entrepreneurial.
This global view of education should also reflect a wider perspective that allows students to shape a more equal world based on tolerance and respect.
This future-ready approach will be critical in the face of a changing economy that is shrinking towards higher skilled and potentially less secure positions.
Our challenge to you: help us reimagine education
If we reimagined education with these values as a starting point what would it look like?
If our aim was for education that builds adaptability, creativity, entrepreneurial outlooks, tolerance, and respect how would you plan your lessons?
Share your ideas as comments or tweets using #reimagineeducation @SIMAacademy
Students should be equipped with the skills to make real their dreams of what they might be when they grow up and also what society as a whole might look like — ready to design and shape a world with shared values and perspectives for a more inclusive way of living.
Post By Gemma Bradshaw, SIMA Academy Editorial Contributor
