Diversity management strategies for the adaptation of educational systems to the challenges of social marginalization

Abstract

Marginalization in the classical interpretation refers to the development in a traditional sustainable society of groups and individuals, positioned in a borderline, precarious state with respect to their social and cultural identity. Marginalization, thus, is a multifaceted process, reinforcing the internal diversity of a society. Today, the traditional society itself exists as an unstable network of disparate social groups. <The latter are in fact closed systems, which are connected by more discrete, formal communicative contacts rather than essential connections. Identifications currently are not woven into a strong social structure, and this structure itself is a transient, flexible mass. Therefore, we do not deal with individual marginal groups arising in a society, but with solid marginalized masses, among which there are “islands” of the traditional population groups. Processes of globalization and integration in the society, strengthening of social dynamics, migration, etc. are the objective reasons for this. In the context of strong ethnic and cultural diversity, military and political tensions, environmental and economic crises, rise in property stratification, social exclusion and inequality – processes of individual self-realization become more complicated. To create conditions for each individual’s development in order to meet urgent needs and improve life quality, becomes first of all the task of an educational system. All this requires more flexibility and adaptability of educational systems, which they unfortunately do not have. Under these challenges it is necessary to focus on finding ways of educational humanization in order to overcome the negative effects of marginalization processes and to use their innovation potential.