I was fortunate to be a fly on the wall at a wonderful webinar this morning, part of the OECD’s Education and Skills webinar series, presented by Andreas Schleicher. Focused on the 2018 PISA assessments, Schleicher’s presentation was entitled ‘Global Competency for an Inclusive World’ and its message was – by design – of far wider significance than just the knowledge and skills of fifteen-year-olds in school.

It was a message of inclusivity and tolerance, of critical thinking and mutual understanding, both as fundamental values in themselves but also as a preparation for life and employment in a globalised world. Amongst the many important messages I noted was this: Developing values means finding a balance between strengthening common core values and appreciating the diversity of values.

How much better the world would be if tomorrow’s citizens understood and embraced this. How miserably short of these values fall the ideologues and fanatics – the Trumps, the Le Pens, the religious extremists, the oppressors of women and minorities.

In case you are interested, here is a copy of the presentation.

aproposalforthepisa2018assessmentofglobalcompetence-160511122006