Education and Social Cohesion: Editorial

Abstract

The expression "we live in a dynamic world" is not a cliché, but an objective reflection of social reality in the 21st century. We are witnessing continuous social transformations that bring new and new socio-economic challenges – from widespread uncertainty and crises, through persistent economic and social inequalities, conflicts, antagonisms, and deep social divisions, to rapid technological progress that is penetrating all spheres of contemporary society and human life. Zygmunt Bauman defined our era as "liquid modernity," characterized by constant change, unpredictability, and instability of social structures and modes of coexistence. It is shaking up existing forms of cooperation and testing people's sense of belonging and trust. Building shared values that help us coexist has always been one of the primary functions of education. And that is precisely why the debate on the relationship between education and social cohesion is more important than ever today. This is why the thematic focus of this issue is on the challenges and opportunities for education and social cohesion in the 21st century.