We are happy that in the fourteenth year of its publication, The Compass has officially declared to be A Peer-Reviewed International Journal of Education in Universal Human Values. A team of 24 reputed reviewers from 3 countries, supported by an Advisory Committee, ensure that what is published in The Compass is well researched, referenced and well presented. Although the opinions expressed in the articles are the views of the authors, the Journal is guided by the principles of independent investigation of truth, universality of knowledge, and unity in diversity. The scope of what are published in The Compass are given in the lotus Word Cloud Design in the inner back cover of this issue. The Compass now encourages research, particularly empirical, in all these thrust areas as they are unique, needed and not much available elsewhere.
The articles of the current issue revolve around education for social cohesion-- a moral, spiritual and social milestone-- which in long term will result into a united and prosperous global community of man. The governments, organizations and peoples are expending enormous energies to develop communities which are socially vibrant, united and prosperous In the long term, however, community-building efforts will succeed only to the extent that they link material progress to fundamental spiritual aspirations, respond to the increasing interdependence among the peoples and nations of the planet, and establish a framework within which all people can become active participants in the governance of their societies. (BIC, 1996, https://www.bahai.org/documents/bic/sustainable-communities-integrating-world, Retrieved from https://www.bahai.org/documents/bic/sustainable-communities-integrating-world) To reach this breakthrough efforts are needed not only at the individual level but also at collective level. In India, for instance, her large population that is multicultural and multilingual, has multiple religions, castes, sects, professions and socio-economic status impose both a challenge and an opportunity. In this regard the new National Education Policy, 2020the first such policy in the 21st Century, plays a crucial role to integrate everyone into a transformed, unified and progressive society. The National Educational Policy 2020 envisions a new approach to education. It aims to bring about and incorporate a slew of reforms in India's education system at all stages. It also aims to improve the way facilitators of such education, such as schools, colleges, and teachers, are educated and approach education with a holistic approach. (Godbole S., Vartak L., Mohite K. C., Azadi, L., 2021, A Study on The Role of National Education Policy-2020 to Promote Social Cohesion, The Compass, Panchgani, Bahai Academy)
The articles in this Issue of the Compass address education for social cohesion from various angles as a contribution to the ongoing dialogue on this all important global challenge facing every society.
Sincerely
Lesan Azadi (Ph.D.)
Editor
Editor-in-Chief
The Compass – An International Peer-Reviewed Journal of Education in Universal Human Values
