Editorial

摘要

Why is the debate on education a constant focus of public at-tention? This has not, for instance, to do with the timid ques-tioning of teachers' hourly output or the age at which they are entitled to retire, as the irritated observer of the European luxury version of this discussion might well believe. The true reason why this theme is a perennial issue lies far deeper. Essentially, it is about freedom and emancipation for the individual, which can be achieved solely through education. Or vice-versa - looked at from the perspective of those who wish to slow things down - about the controlling power of those who want to deny their fellow human beings the possibility of education, cloaked in spurious arguments that invoke religion or tradition. The human right to education is, however, fundamental and non-negotiable; ultimately the whole of human development is based upon it. Human knowledge has grown increasingly rapidly in the course of history. Educational models cannot keep place which is why we have antiquated curricula and structures. Things are even worse in emerging countries and in cultures that are essentially sceptical towards education. They have little chance of catching up and among many of these losers of modernization frustration about this can explode in a violent way. Enlightenment, education and the associated civil rights, such as freedom of opinion, then become the targets of such violence - see the latest attack on a Parisian satirical magazine. Architecture is both a product and stimulator of education. And buildings for education are the quintessence of communal development. There can only be one approach: invest, invest, invest. And not only in developed countries but precisely in those where educational facilities and those attending them are the target of blind, raging aggression. Otherwise the separation of the world into one that is educated and tolerant and another that is underdeveloped and violent will advance even more rapidly. Tangible investment in education stimulates not only the building industry, something that would be highly welcome, but far more the collective intellectual - and therefore economic - power of a society. In the present issue we show a wide-ranging cross-section of diverse contributions to this theme by architects. This highly efficient knowledge tool could be accessed at all times and everywhere in the world.