Abstract:

The future of the society in the global knowledge and information age is increasingly dependent on the future of education. The effects of globalization have changed present conditions of socialization and education processes in many ways. The relevance of the study is evident: Education can be regarded as one of the most important resources, which has to be accessible to all individuals in the same manner. Globalization processes represent, theoretically as well as practically, a challenge for educational sciences and therefore must be addressed within the sphere of education. In economies, but also in education, a massive loss of the nation-state influence in shaping structures and policies is observable. An increasing number of the previous actors having public control over education, science and technology are handing over their directive powers to supranational organizations as well as to transnational groups and foundations. Consequently, within the institutional education system a reorientation is taking place. Previously, the focus of the political and educational officials was on the underpinning of national identity and the stabilization of social cooperation. Currently, there is a reorientation towards economically centered objectives and a demand for education reforms that respond to the intensification of international economic competition. One can find the call to increase efficiency at all educational levels accompanied by the demand for shorter training periods and an ascent in speed as well as output. As a consequence, education becomes a tradable service which is dealt with on the private market and which becomes more cost intensive. Education systems appear then to act as initiators and amplifiers of globalization processes.
Due to the fact that globalization is of huge relevance in the global society, it is more than likely that its challenges will develop into „the social question” of the next decades. However, it is insufficient to define globalization processes in educational contexts alone; it is also necessary to examine the effects and consequences of globalization processes in relation to educational strategies in order to gain an overall picture of the problems, challenges, realities, tasks and possibilities. The most indispensable tools for the development of contemporary education perspectives are a differentiated reflection on globalization phenomena and consequences, an intensive analysis and disclosure to address (global) conflict lines, the formation and embodiment of visions of the global future and the articulation of innovative concepts. Modern social and political structures and practices have to be reoriented to combat the negative effects of globalization processes. Educational science is sure to make an important contribution in making this a reality. It is possible to conclude that educational settings and goals have to incorporate the relevant key problems of the future in order to be able to cope with the coming consequences of global changes. The analysis shows that the discourse of education has to be rethought to enable education to be a formative agent of change. The theoretical and conceptual framework of the research in the field of social science concentrates on adult and further education as well as on globalization and development studies. The analytical investigation is based on an interdisciplinary literature analyses.

Keywords:

Contemporary education perspectives, future of education, globalization phenomena, global conflict lines, global perspectives.