Global tensions and international cooperation in education

Navigating Global Tensions: Lessons from Higher Education's Past

Avery Sinclair in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Can history guide us in an era of rising nationalism and ideological conflicts?"

At the beginning of 2015, amid rising political and military tensions worldwide and following the attacks in Paris, it became crucial to examine the implications for higher education. Today, in 2024, this examination is more relevant than ever. The current global climate, marked by increased nationalist, religious, and ideological conflicts, poses significant challenges to international higher education.

Historically, international cooperation and exchange in higher education have been seen as promoters of peace, mutual understanding, and global engagement. However, the resurgence of tensions reminiscent of pre-Cold War eras demands a reevaluation of these assumptions. The question is, can we glean insights from past experiences to navigate our current environment?

This article delves into the history of international higher education during periods of global tension, from the aftermath of World War I to the Cold War, to extract valuable lessons. By understanding how academic communities responded to past crises, we can better prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The War to End All Wars: Idealism and its Limits

Global tensions and international cooperation in education

In the medieval era, a European higher education space existed with mobile scholars, students, and a shared language—Latin. However, by the 18th and 19th centuries, universities became more nationalistic, adopting national languages, and focusing on domestic priorities. World War I spurred a burst of internationalism, driven by the belief that the academic community could foster solidarity and contribute to peace. It's crucial to note the role and the eventual failure of academe in achieving these idealistic goals.

Europe emerged from World War I deeply traumatized. Intellectuals and academics across nations aimed to build solidarity as a means to contribute to peace. Most were alarmed that academic communities had been easily drawn into fervent nationalism, abandoning Enlightenment ideals.

Institute of International Education (IIE): Founded in the United States in 1919.
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): Established in Germany in 1925.
British Council: Created in the United Kingdom in 1934.

These organizations aimed to stimulate peace and understanding under the League of Nations. However, they ultimately failed to prevent the rise of fascism and Nazism in Europe, as well as Japanese militarism in the Far East. Goals of peace and cooperation were overshadowed by negative political forces, most notably in Nazi Germany, where universities participated in extreme ultranationalism.

Looking Ahead: Navigating Today's Global Challenges

The lessons from history are clear: international cooperation and exchange in higher education, while not guarantees of peace, are essential for maintaining communication and dialogue. As global conflicts based on religious fundamentalism, resurgent nationalism, and other challenges become more widespread, it is crucial to harness the power of international higher education to foster understanding and collaboration.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What role did the Institute of International Education (IIE), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the British Council play in fostering international understanding?

The Institute of International Education (IIE), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the British Council were established to promote peace and understanding, particularly under the framework of the League of Nations. The IIE was founded in the United States in 1919, the DAAD was established in Germany in 1925, and the British Council was created in the United Kingdom in 1934. These organizations aimed to facilitate international cooperation in higher education, hoping to prevent future conflicts through academic exchange and dialogue. However, despite their efforts, they ultimately failed to prevent the rise of fascism and Nazism in Europe and Japanese militarism, indicating the limits of academic initiatives in the face of powerful political forces.

How did universities shift from the medieval era to the 18th and 19th centuries, and what impact did this have on international cooperation?

In the medieval era, a shared European higher education space existed, characterized by mobile scholars, students, and the use of Latin. However, by the 18th and 19th centuries, universities became increasingly nationalistic. They began adopting national languages and focusing on domestic priorities, which diminished the earlier international focus. This shift towards nationalism in higher education meant that universities were less inclined to promote international cooperation and exchange, setting the stage for academic communities to be easily drawn into fervent nationalism during times of conflict, as seen in World War I.

What historical periods does the text examine to understand the challenges of international higher education?

The text examines the history of international higher education primarily during periods of global tension, from the aftermath of World War I to the Cold War. It focuses on how academic communities responded to past crises, aiming to extract valuable lessons applicable to the current global environment marked by rising nationalism, religious conflicts, and ideological tensions.

What were the primary goals of international cooperation in higher education after World War I?

Following World War I, international cooperation in higher education aimed primarily at fostering peace, mutual understanding, and global engagement. Intellectuals and academics across nations sought to build solidarity and contribute to peace, recognizing that academic communities had been easily drawn into nationalism. Organizations like the Institute of International Education (IIE), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the British Council were created to stimulate peace and understanding, though they ultimately faced challenges in preventing the rise of extreme ideologies.

In what ways does the current global climate challenge international higher education, and why is it crucial to address these challenges?

The current global climate, characterized by increased nationalist, religious, and ideological conflicts, poses significant challenges to international higher education. These challenges include maintaining communication and dialogue amidst rising tensions and ensuring that academic exchange is not disrupted by political divisions. It is crucial to harness the power of international higher education to foster understanding and collaboration because international cooperation is essential for mitigating conflict and promoting a more peaceful and interconnected world. The historical failures of preventing conflicts underscore the need to learn from past mistakes and adapt strategies to navigate today's complex global landscape.