The university and its context in a global world

Abstract

The UNESCO General Conference is currently being held in Paris, and the role of universities in today's globalised world is one of the subjects being analysed. In late August, the United Nations University and UNESCO undertook an in-depth analysis of this subject at an event held in Tokyo (http://www.unu.edu/globalization) in which they coincided in the evidence regarding the Copernican change that is being experienced by higher education institutions in modern society. Universities are becoming globalised and their alliances are increasing, along with their presence in other scenarios beyond their immediate context, thanks to the use of information and communication technologies as well as the potentiation of internationalisation strategies. To quote the framework document of the aforementioned UNU/UNESCO event, "Globalization drives vital new themes in education and research, not only in the sciences (information and communications technologies, nanotechnology, climate change, sustainable development), but also socially, culturally (ethic and values, migration, health and welfare, cultural diversity, intercultural leadership and entrepreneurship, reconciliation and peace-building). In a World that demands greater cognizance, cooperation and connectivity, Higher Education Institutions become important international platforms for collaboration and dialogue and for the Exchange and analysis of innovative new ideas".