Chapter 6: The Global Agenda for Quality Education: The Critical Role of Faculties of Education

Agenda 2030 is a universal commitment towards sustainable development that includes various global goals to improve quality education, good health and well-being, gender equality, economic growth, climate action, life on land and below water, clean water and clean energy, innovation, the eradication of poverty and hunger, the reduction of inequality as well as peace, justice, and strong institutions. The 17th sustainable development goal (SDG) presents the goal of “partnerships for the goals.” This chapter utilizes the recently established Global Network of Deans of Education (GNDE) as an exemplar for crafting new partnerships to support the attainment of SDG4 that focuses on Quality Education. The notion of “coherence” is utilized as a conceptual marker to present the emerging network. Four drivers, that is, focus, collaboration, learning, accountability, are applied to illuminate the potential of a global deans’ network to address educational challenges and optimize opportunities to support learning. The chapter opens up discussions on the critical role of education in addressing the global goals and it elevates the role of faculties of education beyond its national boundaries.