Re-Enchanting Education and Spiritual Wellbeing

Education is in a constant state of renewal internationally, responding to a number of pressing social, political, and cultural issues. Processes of globalisation, numerous conflicts and acts of terror, economic and environmental crises have led to large waves of migration and asylum seekers arriving in countries with the hope of finding safer and more stable places to settle. This, in turn, has led to cultural and religious pluralism being a key characteristic of many societies, with corresponding issues of belonging and identity.

For many people, there has been a shifting influence of and allegiance away from traditional religious frameworks with the emergence of new religious movements, both peaceful and violent. Additionally, there has been a rise in the popularity of spirituality and non-religious worldviews, which provide alternative frameworks for living healthy and ethical lives. In order to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world—one which is confronted by a range of risks and crises and is being shaped by rapidly changing technologies—educators and researchers are investigating new ways of equipping students to deal with these challenges and opportunities, including the nurturing of spiritual wellbeing.

Re-Enchanting Education and Spiritual Wellbeing brings together the voices of many experienced educators to discuss ways to re-enchant education and re-enliven learning programmes in response to these 21st-century issues in an increasingly global and interconnected world. It examines a range of international contexts, including secular and religious educational settings, and provides an avenue for visionary voices that identify problems and offer solutions. The book aims to help shape a more promising education system that will prepare children more constructively and beneficially to flourish in their future worlds.