The Routledge International Handbook of Life and Values Education in Asia

This Handbook provides a comprehensive look at the educational scope of life and values that characterize 21st-century Asia, as well as those values shared across cultures.

Some values are deeply resonant with the region?s past while others reflect modernity and the new contexts in which Asian societies find themselves. Exploring these values of different types and the way they are constructed in Eastern and Western contexts, the contributors delve into the diversity of religious, moral and social education to promote greater understanding across cultures. While a range of values is identified here, there is no single set of values that can be applied to all people in all contexts. The time has long gone, even for single societies, when values can be imposed. Yet this Handbook emphasizes both the extent and importance of values to individuals and their societies?how they respond to these values may provide the key to better and more caring societies and to better lives for all.

Academics and teachers will find this Handbook resourceful because it raises important theoretical issues related to social values and their formation in distinctive contexts and provides novel insights into the diverse educational landscape in Asia. Policymakers and educators will also find this text helpful in learning to think about new ways to improve the quality of people?s lives.

?In a world increasingly fraught with conflict and division, ?THE ROUTLEDGE INTERNATIONAL HANDBOOK ON LIFE AND VALUES EDUCATION IN ASIA" offers a beacon of hope and inspiration. This timely manuscript, edited by John Chi-Kin Lee and Kerry Kennedy, delves into the rich tapestry of life and values across and beyond Asia to explores how they can serve as a foundation for a more peaceful and harmonious future.

The significance of value education, particularly in the context of Asia's diverse cultural heritage, cannot be overstated.  Vibrant ancient philosophies and modern values have long emphasized the important themes like ethical conduct, character education, and respect for nature. These values provide a strong life and value compass that can guide individuals and societies towards a more sustainable and equitable world.

Lee and Kennedy astutely recognize that peace and harmony in Asia cannot be achieved solely through political and economic cooperation. It requires a deeper understanding and appreciation of the shared cultural and spiritual values that bind the region together. By nurturing a sense of shared humanity and fostering respect for diversity, value education can play a vital role in building a more peaceful and mutually beneficial future.

Meanwhile, the book goes beyond simply advocating for a return to traditional values. It also recognizes the need to reimagine our futures together, incorporating the principles of inclusion, multiculturalism, and sustainable development education. This requires an open and continuous dialogue that engages diverse voices and perspectives, allowing us to collectively envision a future that is both ecologically sustainable and socially equitable.

This handbook is a powerful and timely contribution to the discourse on education and its role in building a shared, sustainable future. It is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of our planet and the well-being of its people. This book offers a compelling argument for why value education is not just a luxury, but a necessity for creating a peaceful and harmonious future that leaving no one behind.?

Professor Shahbaz Khan, Director for UNESCO Regional Office in East Asia

?The Handbook on Life and Values Education in Asia, meticulously compiled by Drs. John Chi-Kin Lee and Kerry J. Kennedy, is a groundbreaking and timely publication that presents a thorough and detailed examination of this vital area of education. Comprising 12 comprehensive sections and 62 insightful chapters, this compilation reflects the collaborative efforts of numerous esteemed authors, collectively offering an essential resource for educators, scholars, and policymakers in Asia and beyond. Delving into critical themes, ranging from Asian Contexts for Life and Values Education to Peace Education, the Handbook provides a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of the diverse approaches to life and values education that are essential for navigating the complexities of our world in the region. The handbook is notable for its extensive coverage, thorough analysis, and focus on practical implementation. It offers an extensive and intricate analysis of the field by addressing both the distinctiveness and diversity of Asia. Additionally, it goes beyond theoretical concepts to offer practical strategies for achieving a sustainable and peaceful future. This influential work enhances our knowledge of education and provides guidance for promoting harmony, understanding, and lasting peace in Asia and other regions.?

Professor Kyung Hwan Mo, Chair, Department of Social Studies Education and Director, Centre for Multicultural Education Research, Seoul National University

A very important handbook for students, teachers, and administrators. Dr. John Chi-Kin Lee and Dr. Kerry J. Kennedy have gathered the best scholars and writers in the areas of character, moral, global, spiritual, and positive education with strong theoretical foundations, curricula, and strategies for applying research and knowledge in classrooms to transform schools and improve school cultures. A strength of this handbook is that each chapter addresses important values for multicultural education in a global perspective demonstrating how educators play an important role in creating peace and harmony for the minds, hearts, and spirits of students and their relationships with others. This handbook will be of wonderful use in higher education and teacher preparation programs promoting values education in Asia.

Dr. Kathleen I. Harris, Dean, School of Education and Applied Social Sciences, Professor of Education, Seton Hill University