Celebrating interconnectedness as a spiritual paradigm for teaching, learning, and the internationalization of higher education

Abstract

Interconnectedness is presented as a paradigm, useful for decision and vision making in increasingly highly internationalized university environments. The chapter explores the concept of interconnectedness from a spiritual perspective, rooted in a number of traditions and with relevance to workplace spirituality. The potential of a paradigmatic approach to interconnectedness in higher education is illustrated by focusing on a number of contexts. Success in education, capitalizes, for example, upon the interconnectedness of stakeholders, preparing students for existing and future realities and the cultural, spiritual, and anagogical implications of internationalized learning environments. Interconnectedness can inform teaching as a vocation, gathering up personal and professional elements in that undertaking. As a spiritually inspired concept, it has nevertheless, practical applications, capable of generating insights and the enrichment of learning relationships. As a paradigm, it has the potential for transformative outcomes for individuals and communities, locally and globally.