Thematic Description

Education and cultivation stand at the core of social development, functioning as the mechanisms through which societies transmit knowledge, values, and skills across generations. Formal education provides individuals with literacy, scientific understanding, and critical thinking—capacities essential for participating in an increasingly complex world. Meanwhile, cultivation, in the broader cultural sense, encompasses the shaping of ethical sensibilities, cultural identity, and civic responsibility. Together, these processes prepare individuals not only to navigate social structures but also to contribute to their evolution.

As societies modernize, education and cultivation acquire new significance. Technological acceleration, economic diversification, and global interdependence demand continuous learning and the cultivation of adaptive, reflective, and innovative mindsets. Education systems that emphasize problem-solving, creativity, and digital literacy enable individuals to thrive within knowledge-based economies. At the same time, cultivation ensures that rapid change does not erode social cohesion: moral education, intercultural awareness, and civic virtues help communities maintain solidarity despite growing pluralism and complexity.

Ultimately, the interplay between education and cultivation shapes the trajectory of social development. Societies that invest in both tend to foster more equitable participation, stronger institutions, and greater resilience. Education empowers individuals with capabilities, while cultivation aligns those capabilities with shared societal goals and ethical frameworks. In this way, the two domains reinforce each other, enabling societies not only to achieve material prosperity but also to nurture humane, responsible, and sustainable forms of collective life.

Abstract

Participants are kindly asked to submit their abstract of 300-500 words and a brief professional bio (in Microsoft Word or PDF) to the organizer by May 30, 2026. Questions and clarifications can be addressed to Prof. David Kaulem (david.kaulem@aju.ac.zw) and (cua-rvp@cua.edu). Well-developed, qualitative papers will be published by the Council for Research in Values and Philosophy in its publication series “Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Changes.”

Logistics

There will be no registration fee. Conference participants will cover their own costs of travels. Limited accommodation will be provided during the conference. For additional information, please contact the local organizer. The conference will be held in English.

Contact

Prof. David Kaulem

Dean of the School of Education and Leadership

Arrupe Jesuit University

Harare, Zimbabwe

david.kaulem@aju.ac.zw