The financial and economic crisis, of which we have heard so much discussion since 2007-8, is only one aspect of a whole series of underlying political trends which have been apparent for much longer: a crisis of (in)equality and of increased precarity of the workforce, a human rights crisis, a demographic crisis, an ecological crisis, a crisis in civil liberties, and above all a crisis in democracy.
Various federal departments and agencies of Canada funded the ChoiceWork Dialogue to learn more about their citizens’ expectations of governments, the private sector, and their communities. The goals that Canadian societies seek to achieve are detailed in a “social contract.” When leaders planned for post-war policies after World War II, a primary result was the birth of a welfare state. By the 1970s, government revenue was unable to sustain the dependent system. The outcome was major changes to trade and economic policy.
The International Youth Leadership Conference (IYLC) is a week-long forum held twice a year in Prague, Czech Republic since 2000. The theme of the conference is a “cross-cultural exchange of young ideas concerning the future world leadership”.[1] Issues such as international relations, law, media, business, and global economy are addressed amongst approximately 100 individuals aged 18-24, mostly who are university and college students from 35+ countries.
The reforms which have swept through public education during the last two decades have largely been initiated in state legislatures or the United States Congress. The greater part of all these reform efforts have focused on the professional side of public education.
