The Right to Education in a Globalized World

Overview & Synopsis

This article explores the fundamental issues related to education as a human right, particularly in the context of rapid globalization. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations' 1959 Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights all declare education to be a fundamental human right. Further discussion has continued at the Education for All conferences held in Thailand in 1990 and Senegal in 2000 as well as in the International Commission on Education for the 21st Century's report to the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. However, there is no consistent definition of what amounts, qualities, forms, and content of education meet the minimum requirements to fulfill that right. In a globalized world, this issue becomes even more complex. Questions arise as to who should provide education, for whom, how, with what content, and under what conditions.