PERSPECTIVES ON THE CONTRIBUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO EDUCATION AS A HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

The context assumed in this argument is that of a potential catastrophe for humanity and the globalenvironment within a century or two. The contention is that education in a radical form, centrally involving universities and other higher education institutions (HEIs), is the most likely weapon available to mankind that can avert such a disastrous scenario. The discussion focuses on the crucial issue of scale and the need to move from national and even provincial level policy and practice to that of local communities. This involves radical reform of the content and delivery of schooling through the involvement of universities with local institutions of delivery. Recourse is madeto important recent sources promoted by UNESCO focusing on these crucial partnerships betweenuniversities, schools and communities, linking the global with the local through information and communications technology (ICT) in the interests of education as a humanitarian response.