Insights from UNESCO’s Futures of Education initiative

Insights from UNESCO’s Futures of Education initiative and Report: Reimagining Learning for a Changing World with Leonardo Garnier

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Listen to this episode: Duration: 64 min.

Quick Overview

In this podcast episode, Mirian Vilela, Executive Director, Earth Charter International, interviews Leonardo Garnier, former Minister of Education of Costa Rica about the UNESCO’s Futures of Education initiative and its report “Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education,” which was launched in 2021 and some highlights of his work as a Minister of Education. The podcast provides a thought-provoking discussion on the need to rethink education and redefine the future and purpose of education in the current times and the potential role education has in creating a more just and sustainable future for all.

Questions and Topics Addressed in this Episode

  1. Can you tell us about the programme on Education for Life called “Ethics, Aesthetics and Citizenship” that you created and implemented when you were a minister?
  2. What were some of the challenges and opportunities you faced as Minister of Education of Costa Rica?
  3. What is the most important message and purpose of the new UNESCO Report: Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education?
  4. What are your views on the purpose of education for the current times and what the report emphasizes on this?
  5. What was the purpose of the United Nations “Transforming Education Summit” and its next steps?
  6. What is next for this report and the Futures of Education initiative?

Leonardo Garnier

Insights from UNESCO’s Futures of Education initiative

Who is Leonardo Garnier?

Leonardo Garnier is member of the UNESCO International Commission on the Futures of Education. He is a lecturer at the University of Costa Rica, where he has worked in the School of Economics and as a researcher at the Institute of Economic Science Research. He has held various public sector positions and served as Costa Rica’s Minister for Planning and Economic Policy from 1994-1998 and as Minister for Education from 2006-2014. Garnier is known for implementing education sector reforms and increasing enrollment rates, especially in rural and indigenous areas. He has authored books and articles on economic and social development and education, and holds degrees from the University of Costa Rica and the New School for Social Research.

This podcast is developed by Earth Charter International as part of our work as UNESCO Chair on Education for Sustainable Development with the Earth Charter.