Towards Transformation: The Role of Educational Administrators in Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue within Institutions of Higher Education
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This paper argues that challenges of education and cultures cannot be tackled by simply using new technologies, new manuals, new supports or a change in work methods or programs. Rather, the society needs authentic teachers; persons who, above all are convinced of our human capacity to advance along the path of truth while keeping their gaze fixed on Christ, whose face radiates the Truth which ethically enlightens. This paper therefore explores the spiritual and cultural crises in the modern institutions of higher education as a manifestation of globalization. These institutions have been considered by this paper as a hub of all cultures and religions hence their potential for societal transformation. No sector is more globalized than provision of education especially at higher level. The paper highlights the vital role of educational administrators in fostering interreligious and intercultural dialogues within the university setup. With the accelerated erosion of religious and cultural values, the paper also explores how education can restore and preserve these vital ingredients that characterize the entire human existence. The paper concludes that education enshrines culture and religion. It recommends that educational administrators should therefore lead members of their institutions towards facing the human, religious and cultural transformation and alterations in the world today with ethics and intelligence as their contribution towards the realization of societal transformation globally.
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