Education Diplomats as Leaders of Social Change

Overview & Synopsis

Education is a social institution through which a society's children are taught basic knowledge, skills, and cultural norms. Social change can often lead to transformation within the social organization of a society, as it can affect not only people but also social institutions. Social change occurs when people call for change to meet human needs. Therefore, people are the central actors in social change. As a leading social institution that plays a pivotal part in human development, education has a major role to play in social change. This article discusses the connection between education as a social institution that can impact social change and Education Diplomacy; two foundational philosophies and pillars of Education Diplomacy that all Education Diplomats should follow; and four types of power and which of those should be used or avoided by education practitioners involved in the work of Education Diplomacy. [This article was prepared by the Center for Education Diplomacy and Leadership. It is excerpted from Childhood Education International's 5L Education Diplomacy Leadership course, a 10-week, independent study, online learning opportunity.]