Education Science and Technology and Life

Education Science and Technology and Life

The rapid progress of science and technology has radically changed our world. Nuclear power and environmental destruction have become threats. Diseases such as cancer and AIDS have not yet been defeated. Global climate patterns are becoming unstable. Natural resources will be exhausted in the foreseeable future. New technologies, particularly in the information sector, have changed the workplace and are creating new forms of global communication and information. The question of economic attractiveness for production sites is causing more and more companies to look abroad for more attractive production conditions. Many sequences of production are being done in global networks. Physical presence in the workplace is becoming less important and teleworking is gaining ground.

In order to be able to compete in this changed society, in these new patterns of work and vocational activity world of work and professions, people will need at least a minimum of science and technology literacy. If they do not have this they will be excluded from key political, economic and scientific processes and risk becoming easy prey for demagogues and their interests. Those who fail to adjust to the high-tech world of computers will run the risk of losing their jobs or employment prospects.For this reason European Ministers of Education have made increased efforts since the 1970s to provide science and technology literacy for young people, to be seen today as part of general education and as an instrument for participation in political, vocational and scientific development. The objective is to teach young people the fundamentals of science and technology already in primary education. Children's scientific curiosity is to be aroused. They are to learn how to inform themselves, to articulate their thoughts, and to communicate with each other with the help of the new communication technologies. These basic skills are to be developed and deepened in the course of one's working life and to be preserved over one's entire lifetime.

The Committee on Science and Technology of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has set itself the goal of investigating the question as to whether or not our system of education does justice to this high standard, whether communication technologies integrate people or exclude them, whether or not the world of work makes permanent further education possible, and whether out-of-school education is included in this process. The present report constitutes an initial evaluation of the situation. Science and technology literacy is understood to mean basic scientific and technological knowledge and skills needed to understand our physical world, environmental problems and the role and function of technology in a society increasingly marked by global interconnected networks. Science and technology literacy comprises computer literacy. This type of literacy is important to enable citizens to fully participate in a pluralistic democratic society.