Forge a new social contract for education that can shape the future, meeting the needs of humanity and the planet.
The core of UNESCO’s work on renewing education is steering reflection to forge a new social contract for education that can shape the future, meeting the needs of humanity and the planet. This is the key conclusion of the 2021 UNESCO report, “Reimaging Our Futures Together: a new social contract for education”. A new social contract for education consists of the implicit agreements and principles that enable and inspire social cohesion around education, and that give rise to corresponding educational arrangements.
This new social contract should be grounded in two foundational principles: an expanded vision of the right to education throughout life, and the strengthening of education as a public and a common good. It is not an abandonment of all that we have collectively learned and experienced about education so far, but neither is it a mere course correction on a path already defined and set. Educators, communities, youth and children, families have long identified the limitations of existing educational systems and pioneered new approaches to overcoming them. Yet, without collective moments of structured dialogue about renewal of education, efforts often occur in isolation or with limited impact to large institutional machinery.
It is by actively engaging in the dialogue and practice to build a new social contract for education that we can renew education to make just, equitable and sustainable futures possible. UNESCO aims to provoke reflection and catalyse public dialogue with the aim of exploring new avenues for policy development and innovative action to renew education so that it truly prepares all learners to invent a better future. “Reimaging Our Futures Together: a new social contract for education” is therefore a milestone on a road stretching into the future. It is a living document proposing a framework, principles, and recommendations to be further explored, shared, and enriched by people around the world.
The report has already prompted global debate, and dialogue at international and national levels.
International advocacy National & local dialogues
Principles
The reflection on a new social contract for education must be guided by some key principles for dialogue and action, regarding certain aspects of teaching and learning.














