GLOBALIZATION, MDG, SDG, VISION 2030,

Globalization refers to
international integration. It is a process by which the people of the world are brought closer
together socially, economically and in other aspects.

Globalisation is a process in which geographical distance becomes less of a factor in the establishment of economic, social, cultural and
political relations between different countries.

Globalization is a joint process involving a process of intensification of cultural interaction between diverse groups.

What do you mean by globalization in education?

The term “globalisation” encompasses a number of things, including economics, culture, politics, technology and communication. In education,
globalisation in education refers to the increasing mobility of students and teachers across the world, and the need for educators to be more
inclusive.

Features of Globalisation
Note that these are many. Some of them include:
• Increased flow of goods and services, including exports
• Increased mobility of peoples internationally
• Rapid change or transformation that is, revolutionary
• Growing influence of Information and Communications Technologies
• It is a by-product of advances in Sciences as well
• It involves increased mobility of capital
• It is generating new wealth
• Interconnectedness and interdependence of economies of the world, etc.
• Growing force of liberalization

Impact of globalization on education:

 Globalization has improved the quality of education. Due to globalization, countries got the opportunity to witness the best education
systems worldwide and thus could replicate them.
 New methods of learning such as e-learning, blended learning was quickly adopted by many countries due to globalization.
 Knowledge sharing among the world countries resulted in teaching updated technologies to students across the world.
 Due to globalization, foreign universities were established in developing countries. These universities helped many students in getting a
high-quality education. Moreover, foreign investments in the education sector of developing and underdeveloped countries also helped in
improving the facilities and infrastructure.
 Now, more and more students are studying in colleges of other countries through e-learning.
  As the number of foreign students is increasing at a rapid rate, several countries are improving their quality of education and teaching
practices continuously.
 Education should develop empathy and understanding in students. Globalization enabled students to develop an understanding of other
cultures, which is like a practical education.
 Due to globalization, many realised the importance of education and hence literacy rates have improved worldwide.
 Globalization made many people aware of human rights and the loopholes in the governance of their own countries. This practical
education helps students in taking part in the development of their countries.
 Globalization encouraged many countries to adopt alternative learning systems such as homeschooling, distance education, world
schooling etc.

Now, there is more emphasis on practical learning in many countries. For example, internships have now become a common thing. Due to
globalization, the quality of education has improved. Various countries got the opportunity to witness the best education systems worldwide. The
concept of globalization has embedded the practical aspect of understanding other cultures and empathy among students.

Globalization encourages experimentation and exploration to push the boundaries of information technologies and communication. It improves
the student’s ability to acquire and utilize knowledge. Plus, the introduction of globalization in education has made students great team players
who can work closely in teams, thereby making them ready for the future.

Globalization has also enhanced the ability to manipulate symbols. Given today’s economy, in a highly productive employment scenario, this
will assist students to constantly manipulate symbols such as legal, political, business terms and digital money.
 

What are the benefits of globalization?

Globalization impacts businesses in many different ways. But those who decide to take on international expansion find several benefits,
including:

1. Access to new cultures

Globalization makes it easier than ever to access foreign cultures, including food, movies, music, and art. This free flow of people, goods, art,
and information is the reason you can have Thai food delivered to your apartment as you listen to your favorite U.K.-based artist or stream a
Bollywood movie.

Read more: The Role of Culture in International Business

2. The spread of technology and innovation

Many countries around the world remain constantly connected, so knowledge and technological advances travel quickly. Because knowledge
also transfers so fast, this means that scientific advances made in Asia can be at work in the United States in a matter of days.

3. Lower costs for products

Globalization allows companies to find lower-cost ways to produce their products. It also increases global competition, which drives prices
down and creates a larger variety of choices for consumers. Lowered costs help people in both developing and already-developed countries live
better on less money.

4. Higher standards of living across the globe

Developing nations experience an improved standard of living—thanks to globalization. According to the World Bank, extreme poverty
decreased by 35% since 1990.
The target of the first Millennium Development Goal was to cut the 1990 poverty rate in half by 2015. This was achieved five years ahead of
schedule in 2010. Across the globe, nearly 1.1 billion people have moved out of extreme poverty since that time.

5. Access to new markets

Businesses gain a great deal from globalization, including new customers and diverse revenue streams. Companies interested in these benefits
look for flexible and innovative ways to grow their business overseas.

A global employer of record (EOR) makes it easier than ever to employ workers in other countries quickly and compliantly. This means that, for
many companies, there is no longer the need to establish a foreign entity to expand overseas.

Read more: Your Guide to the Global Marketplace

6. Access to new talent

In addition to new markets, globalization allows companies to find new, specialized talent that is not available in their current market. For
example, globalization gives companies the opportunity to explore tech talent in booming markets such as Berlin or Stockholm rather than
Silicon Valley.

A global EOR allows companies to compliantly employ talent overseas without establishing an entity, making global hiring easier than ever.
What are the general challenges of globalization?

While globalization offers many benefits, it’s not without challenges. Some of the hurdles companies face when going global include:

1. International recruiting

A common challenge global leaders face when going global is international recruiting. Recruiting across borders creates unknowns for HR
teams.

First, companies create a plan for how they will interview and thoroughly vet candidates to make sure they are qualified when thousands of miles
separate them from headquarters. Next, companies need to know the market’s demands for salaries and benefits to make competitive offers.

To ensure successful hires, HR teams must factor in challenges like time zones, cultural differences, and language barriers to find a good fit for
the company.

2. Managing employee immigration

Despite the benefits of global mobility, immigration is a top challenge companies face when expanding overseas. Immigration laws change
often, and in some countries, it is extremely difficult to secure visas for employees who are foreign nationals. The U.S., for example, is getting
stricter with granting H-1B visas, and Brexit makes immigration to the U.K. difficult.

3. Incurring tariffs and export fees

Another challenge leaders face when going global is incurring tariffs and export fees. For companies looking to sell products abroad, getting
those items overseas can be expensive, depending on the market.

4. Payroll and compliance challenges

Another common global expansion obstacle is managing global payroll and maintaining compliance with changing employment and tax laws.
This management task gets even more difficult if you’re trying to manage operations in multiple markets.

5. Loss of cultural identity

While globalization has made foreign countries easier to access, it has also begun to meld unique societies together. The success of certain
cultures throughout the world caused other countries to emulate them. But when cultures begin to lose their distinctive features, we lose our
global diversity.

6. Foreign worker exploitation

Lower costs do benefit many consumers, but it also creates tough competition that leads some companies to search for cheap labor sources.
Some Western companies ship their production overseas to countries like China and Malaysia, where lax regulations make it easier to exploit
workers.

7. Global expansion difficulties

For businesses that want to go global and discover the benefits of globalization, setting up a compliant overseas presence is difficult. If
companies take the traditional route of setting up an entity, they need substantial upfront capital, sometimes up to $20,000, and costs of $200,000
annually to maintain the business.

Read more: The Hidden Costs of Entity Establishment

Additionally, global businesses must keep up with different and ever-changing labor laws in new countries. When expanding into new countries,
companies must be aware of how to navigate new legal systems and ensure global compliance. Otherwise, missteps lead to impediments and
severe financial and legal consequences.

8. Immigration challenges and local job loss

The political climates in the U.S. and Europe show that there are different viewpoints on the results of globalization. Many countries around the
globe are tightening their immigration rules, and it is harder for immigrants to find jobs in new countries.

This rise in nationalism is mainly due to anger from the perception that foreigners fill domestic jobs or that companies move their operations
abroad to save money on labor costs.
Millennium Development Goals

In September 2000, leaders of 189 countries gathered at the United Nations headquarters and signed the historic Millennium Declaration, in
which they committed to achieving a set of eight measurable goals that range from halving extreme poverty and hunger to promoting gender
equality and reducing child mortality, by the target date of 2015.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Goal 1 Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Goal 2 Achieve universal primary education

Goal 3 Promote gender equality and empower women

Goal 4 Reduce child mortality

Goal 5 Improve maternal health

Goal 6 Combating HIV/AIDs, malaria, and other diseases

Goal 7 Ensure environmental sustainability

Goal 8 Develop a global partnership for development

The MDGs were revolutionary in providing a common language to reach global agreement. The 8 goals were realistic and easy to communicate,
with a clear measurement/monitoring mechanism.

Substantial progress has been made regarding the MDGs. The world has already realized the first MDG of halving the extreme poverty rate by
2015. However, the achievements have been uneven. The MDGs are set to expire in 2015 and the discussion of a post-2015 agenda continues.
The focus is now on building a sustainable world where environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic development are equally
valued.

The MDG Fund contributed directly and indirectly to the achievement of the MDGs. It adopted an inclusive and comprehensive approach to the
MDGs. The approach was guided by the Millennium Declaration and its emphasis on development as a right, with targeted attention directed
towards traditionally marginalized groups such as ethnic minorities, indigenous groups, and women.
The Global Consultation of Sustainable Development Goals

The Rio+20 conference (the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development) in Rio de Janeiro, June 2012, galvanized a process to
develop a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will carry on the momentum generated by the MDGs and fit into a global
development framework beyond 2015.

In the interest of creating a new, people-centered, development agenda, a global consultation was conducted online and offline. Civil society
organizations, citizens, scientists, academics, and the private sector from around the world were all actively engaged in the process. Activities
included thematic and national consultations, and the My World survey led by the United Nations Development Group. Specialized panels were
also held and provided ground to facilitate intergovernmental discussions. The UN Secretary General presented a synthesis of the results of these
consultation processes.

In July 2014, the UN General Assembly Open Working Group (OWG) proposed a document containing 17 goals to be put forward for the
General Assembly’s approval in September 2015. This document set the ground for the new SDGs and the global development agenda spanning
from 2015-2030.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as proposed by the OWG

Goal 1 End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Goal 2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture

Goal 3 Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Goal 4 Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all

Goal 5 Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Goal 6 Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Goal 7 Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all

Goal 8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all

Goal 9 Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation

Goal 10 Reduce inequality within and among countries

Goal 11 Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
 Goal 12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Goal 13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Goal 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development

Goal 15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt
and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss

Goal 16 Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective,
accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Goal 17 Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

The SDG Fund and the SDGs

The SDG Fund is the first cooperation mechanism specifically designed to achieve the future SDGs. Building upon the experience and lessons
learned of the previous MDG Achievement Fund (2007-2013), the SDG Fund intends to act as a bridge in the transition from MDGs to SDGs,
providing concrete experiences on how to achieve a sustainable and inclusive world post-2015 through its integrated and multidimensional joint
programmes.
The EFA Goals
Step 6: Read Article titled Universal Primary Education. In not more than 200 words, identify
and explain at least six goals of universal primary education.
To consolidate your reading, compare your work with the following. First, you may have
observed that the Dakar World Forum on Education of All (2000) targeted 2015 as the date by
which the set goals were to be achieved. According to the MoES (2007) the goals include:
1.
Expanding and improving comprehensive Early Childhood care and
education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
2.
Ensuring that by 2015 all children, particularly girls, children in difficult
circumstances and those belonging to ethnic minorities, have access to
and complete free and compulsory primary education of good quality.
3.
Ensuring that the learning needs of all young people and adults are
met through equitable access to appropriate learning and life skills
programmes.
4.
Achieving a fifty percent improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015,
especially for women and equitable access to basic and continuing
education for all [Link] Issues in Education
30
5.
Eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education by
2005, and achieving gender equality in education by 2015, with a focus
on ensuring girls’ full and equal access to and achievement in basic
education of good quality.
6.
Improving all aspects of the quality of education and ensuring excellence
of all so that recognized and measurable learning outcomes are achieved
by all, especially in literacy, numeracy and essential life skills.
In summary, the EFA goals revolve around Early Childhood, Universal Primary Education,
Adult Education, Gender Equality and the provision of Quality Education. This explains why
contemporary issues in education can be summed up into catch words namely access, equity,
quality and retention.
Obstacles to the EFA goals in Africa
You may realise that achieving the goals above is a gigantic task, especially in Africa, given the
time frame and a number of internal and external obstacles. It is for this reason that some of
the goals have been overtaken by time and events.
For instance, gender disparity in schools is still elusive, well after 2005. What obstacles hinder
the realization of the EFA goals in Africa? To answer this question, revisit the work covered in
History of education and other related courses in professional studies.
Step 7: Using your country in particular and the African continent in general, list down the
major factors that frustrate the realization of the EFA goals. Categorise them into political,
economic and social (Use not more than 200 words). Read the following articles titled 1-Poverty
in Africa, 2-Universal Primary Education and 3-International Development to broaden you
knowledge. Perhaps your list includes the following:
Political
• Ideological dependence
• Unstable governments
• Wars and political upheavals
• Undemocratic institutions
• Poor planning
• Mismanagement of resources
• Misallocation of resources
• Endemic corruption
• Disunity, [Link] [Link], The Millenium Development Goals & Education for All
Economic
• Dependence on aid
• Poverty
• Low levels of GDP
• Low levels of Science and technology
• Poor transport and communication systems
• Etc.
Social
• Cultural conflicts and gender bias
• Ethnic differences and conflicts
• Religious conflicts
• Unemployment
• Weak curriculum
• Diseases e.g. HIV/AIDS, Malaria, etc.
• High birth rates
• Civil strife Etc.

Why digital communication

matters for education?
In 2023, many schools and universities are increasingly leveraging digital
communication to further the goals of effective teaching and assessment.

However, many institutions are yet to implement such forward-looking changes.

Their efforts are often limited by a lack of funding, outdated infrastructure, or
resistance to change.

Digital transformation is changing how industries and sectors work,

bringing transparency, efficiency and speed to manual processes. The field
of education is no different.

In this blog, let’s explore the wave of digital communication in education, why it
matters, and how it affects everyone involved.
How did the pandemic influence digital communication in education?

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a sudden and drastic change in how
educational institutes communicated. As the classes in universities and schools
were forced to move online, digital communication became the norm for students,
teachers, and parents.
Of course, this sudden transition wasn't without its challenges.

Digital education experienced multiple challenges, from technical glitches to

security concerns. But through it all, educators and students alike realized the
importance of embracing technology for the future of education.

But despite its challenges, educational institutions operating in hybrid and remote
modes must look for ways to adapt to the digital age. The benefits of Digital
communication in education are evident— improved engagement, increased
accessibility, and enhanced learning outcomes, to name just a few.
Digital communication in education: improving learning outcomes

Here are 5 ways in which digital communication directly improves learning

outcomes:
1. Easier (and more fun) access to learning materials

With digital communication in education, students can annotate, message, create

presentations, and even play educational games with their peers, regardless of
location. In a way, it's like the digital version of a study group.
On the other hand, teachers use video conferencing tools to bring special guests
and cultural communities to their classrooms.

Finally, all of it takes place in a highly secure ecosystem devoid of any threats from
data thefts and ransomware attacks. Widely-used platforms like [Link]
offers safe access and communication in digital classrooms.
2. Personalized and engaging learning experiences

Digital communication in education has opened up a world of possibilities when it

comes to personalized and engaging learning experiences. With online resources
and tools, educators can tailor their teaching to meet the needs and interests of
individual students.

Digital tools and adaptive learning platforms can analyze student

performance and provide personalized recommendations for further help.

Also, gamification elements like points, badges, and leaderboards can make
learning more engaging and motivating, especially for younger students.
3. Interactive and collaborative learning

With the onset of digital communication in education, students can participate in

online discussions with researchers, and teachers from internal and external
faculties.

They can also create and edit documents together in real time, and receive
feedback from their evaluators promptly.

This fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills and helps students
develop important communication and teamwork skills.
4. Transparent progress tracking

Did you know that digital communication in education helps keep track of students’
progress like never before? No more guessing games or waiting for report cards!

With tools like learning management systems, teachers can see how students
are doing every step of the way and give them personalized feedback to help them
improve.
This transparency also benefits teachers-student communication. Teachers can use
the data to fine-tune their teaching strategies and give them the support
they need to succeed.
5. Preparing students for the digital world

Digital communication in education also provides customized learning methods for

students, improving their grades and abilities.

For instance, self-learning helps them work at their own pace and prepares
students for the professional world. Besides, visual content always helps
younger students grasp concepts quickly.

It especially benefits remote and special needs students, helping them expand
education beyond the classroom walls. With easy access to information,
students can acquire wide knowledge from online resources.
Going digital: Why universities must strategically align themselves with
digital communication in education

With the world shifting towards remote work and digital platforms,
universities must recognize the need to adapt to this change.
1. Greater flexibility

Digital communication in school has become a more attractive choice for students
as they have greater flexibility in their schedules and can save money on
commuting and housing costs.
2. Global reach

It has also made it easier for universities to attract applicants from across the
world, as students are no longer limited by geography. This has eventually
increased of applicants and funding for universities.
3. Cost effective

Digital communication and seamless collaboration among stakeholders also

facilitate learning without requiring spending on physical infrastructure.