It is often said that
the Asian countries that have flourished
in recent years, have done so through
imitating the Western model. Given the
cultural wealth of Asia, this is a terrible
shame. If the process of globablisation
is to be a journey of mutual enrichment,
rather than a struggle of homogenisation;
if democracy is to be more than an empty
gesture; if freedom is to mean more
than the freedom to follow a pre-set
agenda, then each country must be allowed
to find its own voice. Education
is an ideal forum for this. In the
subcontinent, the education system
is based on the colonial model. To
cling to this in the name of traditionalism
would betray both a false sentimentality
and a limiting myopia.
While we should not be afraid to
throw out anachronisms, we must also
not shy from accepting worthwhile
ideas whatever their origin. Our aim
is to avoid both imitation and isolation
– embracing visions from across
the world, while staying grounded
in local culture. We understand that
a nation unaware of its history walks
blindly into the future.
With this intention in mind, we hope
that Towards 2035 will initiate a
dialogue, a dialogue that will illuminate
the way for an educational model that
has its sights on the future but is
grounded in the past.
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