In Reimagining Our Futures Together: A New Social Contract for Education, the International Commission on the Futures of Education presents a compelling vision for transforming education to address global challenges. Drawing from a global consultation engaging approximately one million people, the report advocates for a new social contract grounded in human rights, social justice, and sustainability. It emphasizes the need for education systems that promote cooperation, solidarity, and ecological responsibility. By highlighting innovative practices and diverse perspectives, the report offers actionable recommendations to build peaceful, just, and sustainable futures through education.
Foreword
by Director-General Audrey Azoulay
Foreword
by H.E. President Sahle-Work Zewde
International Commission on the Futures of Education
Acknowledgements
Executive summary
INTRODUCTION
The survival of humanity, human rights, and the living planet are at risk
The need for a new social contract for education
Redefining the purposes of education
Organization of the report
PART I: BETWEEN PAST PROMISES AND UNCERTAIN FUTURES
CHAPTER 1 TOWARDS MORE EQUITABLE EDUCATIONAL FUTURES
Incomplete and inequitable expansion of education
Persistent poverty and rising inequality
A web of exclusions
CHAPTER 2 DISRUPTIONS AND EMERGING TRANSFORMATIONS
A planet in peril
The digital that connects and divides
Democratic backsliding and growing polarization
The uncertain future of work
PART II: RENEWING EDUCATION
CHAPTER 3 PEDAGOGIES OF COOPERATION AND SOLIDARITY
Reimagining pedagogical approaches
Pedagogical journeys at every age and stage
Renewing the mission of higher education
Principles for dialogue and action
CHAPTER 4 CURRICULA AND THE EVOLVING KNOWLEDGE COMMONS
Participation in the knowledge commons
The enabling role of higher education
Principles for dialogue and action
CHAPTER 5 THE TRANSFORMATIVE WORK OF TEACHERS
Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession
The life-entangled journey of teacher development
Public solidarity to transform teaching
Universitiesâ ongoing relationships with teachers
Principles for dialogue and action
CHAPTER 6 SAFEGUARDING AND TRANSFORMING SCHOOLS
The irreplaceable role of schools
The necessary transformation of schools
Transitions from school to higher education
Principles for dialogue and action
CHAPTER 7 EDUCATION ACROSS DIFFERENT TIMES AND SPACES
Steering educational opportunities towards inclusion and sustainability
Expanding âwhenâ education happens
Broadening the right to education
Principles for dialogue and action
PART III: CATALYZING A NEW SOCIAL CONTRACT FOR EDUCATION
CHAPTER 8 A CALL FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
A new research agenda for education
Expanding knowledge, data, and evidence
Innovating educational futures
Principles for dialogue and action
CHAPTER 9 A CALL FOR GLOBAL SOLIDARITY AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Responding to an increasingly precarious world order
Towards shared purposes, commitments, norms and standards
Cooperation in knowledge generation and the use of evidence
Financing education where it is threatened
The role of UNESCO
Principles for dialogue and action
EPILOGUE AND CONTINUATION: Building futures of education together
Proposals for building a new social contract
Calls to action
Dialogue and participation
Invitation to continue
APPENDICES
Selected references
Independent reports Background papers Global consultation inputs Publications by the International Commission on the Futures of Education
International Commission on the Futures of Education
Mandate Members
The Futures of Education initiative
Contributors to the global consultation
Reimagining Our Futures Together: A New Social Contract for Education is essential reading for policymakers, educators, researchers, and students in education, social sciences, and sustainable development. It offers a comprehensive framework for transforming education systems to address global challenges. The report emphasizes human rights, social justice, and sustainability, providing actionable recommendations for building peaceful, just, and sustainable futures through education. Its insights are valuable for those committed to reimagining education to meet the needs of humanity and the planet.