The benefits and challenges for social justice in international exchanges in mathematics and science education

Abstract

International exchanges in higher education are influenced by globalised economies. Whether globalization is seen as a relabelling of capitalism or as the homogenization of cultures, social justice must not be an alien concept in academic endeavours because of the many inequalities that exist both within and between nations and peoples. This chapter presents an analysis of an exchange between two universities by examining certain aspects that impinge on issues in social justice such as fairness, equality, and equity. While the exchange benefited both universities in various ways, the authors who were the principal actors in the exchange admit that many lessons in social justice have been learned. Thus, the chapter lays out some reflections on how future academic exchanges might be conceived to ensure fairness and equity for all parties involved © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.