New Ignorances, New Literacies, Learning to Live Together in a Globalizing World

Globalization has given rise not only to new forms of exchange and understanding but also to the emergence of disturbing forms of ignorance, or their re-emergence in a new context. In the last decade, the world has experienced new forms of wars and conflicts and has been confronted with radically new threats.

Their complex origins have highlighted the increasing relevance of and necessity for multifaceted prevention, based on a sound understanding of these new challenges and on the importance of universal shared values (such as human rights), ethics, the protection of cultural diversity and the commitment to sustainable development.

Thus, conflict prevention and the reduction of threats are not only a political question, nor are they simply a development issue: they are also a challenge to cultural and educational systems.

Today, therefore, it is vital to examine ways of responding effectively to these new threats, which are closely related to the emergence of “new ignorances”. To this end, we must identify “new literacies” – namely, the knowledge, values and competencies necessary to meet the challenges of this new century.