Perspectives in Education

In alignment with the scope of Perspectives in Education, this special issue will address a contemporary educational issue and stimulate much needed conversation about Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at higher education institutions (HEIs). The importance of Higher Education for Sustainable Development (HESD) intensified with the current global crisis, which goes beyond health concerns. In fact, COVID-19 exposed a variety of vulnerabilities in higher education systems around the globe and showed that short-term plans are futile and only long-term vision can lead to a sustainable future. In addition, the pandemic presented us with a valuable lesson that change is possible and that we can disrupt the business-as-usual approach in the name of a collective wellbeing. In short, status quo was challenged, and we have been offered an opportunity to commit to sustainable development (SD) programmes, projects and practices without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (UN, 1987). 

Recognising an urgency to reflect and re-evaluate vision, mission and initiatives of HEIs, this special issue aims to generate knowledge and promote dialogue about safeguarding a sustainable future with social justice and human rights at the centre.