Integrative Education

 Presidio World College     Advisory Projects     Educational Events     Networking

The technological and societal changes we are witnessing in the beginning of the 21st century are creating monumental shifts in our approach to education. These changes are already making a significant impact on every aspect of the educational model—from schools, to faculty, to students, as well as to the technology being used to support it.

We are only now beginning to understand the new roles that education needs to play in our lives. We see that the purpose and forms of education will need to expand in order to provide the guidance and support necessary to cope with the inevitable societal shifts taking place. As we become more dependent on knowledge and education, we will require new paradigms of learning. We can no longer simply depend on mere transfer of information. We will need education that not only provides functional information for professional development, but that will help us to develop as whole individuals in order to find deeper understanding, perspective and meaning throughout our lifetime.

We are also beginning to understand that human beings are as complex as our environments, and that education needs to address that complexity so we can reach our full potential. The Global Academy has to this point utilized the extensive educational experience of its principals, advisors and partners to create innovative educational environments that supported and encouraged in-depth learning, dialogue and action. Environments intended not only to provide valuable information to the learner, but also to enhance the learner’s capacity to understand and integrate that information and experience. Environments intended to nourish, inspire and empower us to reflect, to understand more deeply and then to act with greater capacity.

As a major focus of the Global Academy over the last several years, the Institute for Integrative Education has undertaken a number of pilot projects, in which it advised innovative educational institutions, organized two educational sector-oriented conferences, and initiated the development of a network for education institutions working at the cutting edge of transformative education. Global Academy president Tom Valente, a specialist in the development of pioneering educational programs, led these educational initiatives. As a principal and vice-president of Omega Institute, he created some of the most innovative holistic education programs in the US. (More...)

Presidio World College

The Global Academy educational work is currently focused on the development of a unique MBA program in Sustainable Management through the Presidio World College.

Global Academy chairman Walter Link has been seminal in the development of PWC’s MBA Program in Sustainable Management. He is both an advisor to the program and a member of the MBA faculty.

Presidio World College is an affiliate of Alliant International University, and offers a distinctive, leading-edge MBA program in Sustainable Management. The program integrates environmental, ethical and social values with practical business skills. It is designed for working adults who are committed to creating healthier relationships among society, the environment and business --people who see themselves as change agents and know that "business as usual" is not a sustainable option.

For more information, visit Presidio World College

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A Sample of the Global Academy’s educational track record:

Advisory Projects 
Naropa University
The Global Academy Institute for Integrative Education assisted Naropa University, a fully accredited university that integrates contemplative practices with academics, in the development of a strategy to integrate Naropa’s international and on-line programs so that students may pursue their education both on-line and off-site by visiting places of interest around the world.

City of Knowledge
Situated on a former U.S. military base in Panama, the City of Knowledge is an international center that promotes the pursuit of excellence in education and promotes cultural and scientific exchange within the Americas and throughout the world. This non-profit organization incorporates academic institutions, scientific research centers, a technology park and cultural institutions. The Global Academy provided organizational development advice for the institution and participated in an educational event on human rights and culture sponsored by the City of Knowledge. Walter Link, Chairman of the Global Academy, is on the International Board of Advisors. 

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Educational Events
Ibero-American Summit of Governments
In the context of the Ibero-American Summit, the Global Academy was asked to develop a conference program to brief the ministers of education from Latin America, Portugal and Spain in significant educational developments.  The invited experts covered subject areas ranging from transformative education to online and distance learning strategies, to educational opportunities for the poorest parts of Latin American populations.

Panama Education Conference
The Global Academy Institute for Integrative Education, together with its co-sponsors UNDP, the government of Panama, and the Secretariat of the Ibero-American Summit of Governments convened a conference to discuss the issues affecting the future of education in Panama and to formulate a strategic education plan for the future. This conference entitled, Education: The Road Towards Social Equality, was also the platform for the public launch of a national education reconciliation project.

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Networking
Transformative Education Retreat
The Global Academy Institute for Integrative Education and the Fielding Graduate Institute assembled some of the most interesting organizations across educational disciplines to look at the changing face of transformative education. (more)

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