Systemic innovation, education and the social impact of the systems sciences

"Education, in and of itself, is neither irrelevant nor outmoded. However, the current need to educate a planetary citizenry under conditions relevant to the living context of our planet is palpable. A new education paradigm is emerging to address this need, and it takes its cue from the life sciences—biomimicry, ecosystem studies, permaculture and the like, and from the sciences of complexity—complex adaptive systems theory, second order cybernetics, social systems dynamics and the emerging field of systemic innovation. This article explores both the pressures for such a new paradigm of education, tracing their sources to contemporary dynamics in society and environment, and outlines of the new paradigm in education that is emerging in various parts of the world. Key to this new paradigm is the emphasis on lifelong learning and empathy oriented education, both critical ingredients to the transformative role of education for individual and collective thrivability."