ISQOLS Webinar, "Inclusive and Sustainable Well-being for Overcoming Inequalities in Higher Education in the Global South: the role of social relations"

Wednesday, 23 September

10:00am EDT/16:00 CET

Event Information

This webinar addresses inequality in higher education in the Global South by analysing the everyday experiences of university students—particularly their social relationships—and highlights the need to achieve inclusive and sustainable well-being to overcome inequalities in this sphere. It begins by acknowledging that the role of universities in the Global South has been reconfigured in recent decades alongside social transformations; universities have expanded their institutional function—moving beyond the production of academic and scientific knowledge—to become significant social and political spaces in students' lives. Today, the university emerges as a key social institution where students forge social and emotional bonds, build friendships, and connect with others through social support networks. In other words, they do not merely study, learn, and prepare for future careers; they also learn to assert their needs and rights. In the twenty-first century, higher education must be viewed as a key factor for personal quality of life and that of society as a whole; in the Global South, access to university enhances individuals' quality of life and their sense of well-being in terms of life satisfaction. We thus recognize that inclusion is a process incorporating the concept of human diversity to strengthen the individual's capacity to improve their own well-being, emphasizing the importance of participation, representation, and a sense of belonging. Furthermore, in line with SDG 4, we acknowledge the need to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education that promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all, with the aim of mitigating the reproduction of inequalities.