Social and Economic Cohesion in Diverse Societies ― An Integral Approach to Education and Development

Social cohesion, as an academic concept and as the objective of education and social policy and practice is of considerable interest. Though, there seems to be a confusion about the meaning, conceptual developments, theoretical foundations and models emerging around social cohesion.

As societies evolves, the challenge of what holds us together when everything else seems to be pulling us apart, increases (e.g. inequalities, discrimination, injustices, violence, conflict, war). Education is often also seen and used as a tool for both around the world

This book will contribute to social cohesion knowledge generation in the following ways:

• Social cohesion is an emerging and contested field and understanding the concept is important for educational and social sciences theorists and practitioners.
• Important insights could be gained from analyzing the theoretical and philosophical assumptions that frame the concept social cohesion and its interrelatedness with education.
• A careful examination of social cohesion models emerging could yield insights for social sciences practitioners, educators and policy developers in formal and in-formal settings.
• Provide a basis for developing potential future social cohesion educational programmes and interventions rooted in a theoretical framework congruent with the aspirations of a social cohesion discourse and contributes to theory building in the field of social cohesion.
• Contribute to a more balanced, integrated and holistic representation of social cohesion conceptual and model developments around the world and how it relates and potentially influence education, educational policy and transformation to create more socially cohesive alternative futures for the greater good.

Marlene de Beer is a lecturer in Social Work at the University of Johannesburg. She has 25 year’s local and international research, lecturing and social work experience.