Contemporary trends in educational policy: UNESCO higher education roadmap

Education is an important aspect in achieving the sustainable development goals as it affects all spheres of human life: economic, political, environmental, social, etc. Since the 19th century, scientists have warned the humanity about the devastating consequences of industrialization and urbanization and have made attempts of the natural-scientific enlightenment. Today we face many risks and challenges that threaten education the most, which made the authoritative international organizations formulate and adopt the so-called “Sustainable Development Goals”. The article outlines the key role of higher education in the transfer of knowledge, skills and values to achieve and promote the Sustainable Development Goal 4 “Quality Education for Sustainable Development” (SDG 4). Since sustainable development aims at creating a society competent in the principles of sustainability, SDG 4 should be achieved at all levels and in all spheres of social life based on the recent trends in rethinking educational policy. Today this policy aims at increasing economic, environmental, political and social knowledge, which should ultimately help people solve the problems of the contemporary society. The article considers the implementation of the SDG 4 and the current state and trends in the educational policy in the global perspective.