THE ROOT CAUSES OF TERRORISM

The world’s democratic societies and free market systems are entering a new phase in their evolution. As media communications broadly reach all nations and more people gain access to world news, people become increasingly aware of differences in living standards and wealth. The discrepancy in well-being initially causes jealousy which turns into hate. And as they find it impossible to develop solutions, their frustration causes them to escape into a broad spectrum of dramatic reactions, which can range from typical individual psychological responses to terrorist provocations orchestrated by charismatic want-to-be leaders whose twisted minds proclaim ethnic and religious make-believes to justify their terrorist actions.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

As recent events have shown, the resulting loss of human lives and the damage to economic assets can become astronomical. The tragedies and economic losses associated with the large number of people killed in the US and around the world will accumulate over years to come and can never be repaired. While we must be prepared to assist the healing process, more important are developments that are designed to avoid cultural conflicts, economic frustration, and useless terrorist response. 

TRANSCULTURAL EQUALIZATION

United States Online University strongly believes that a transcultural equalization can be accomplished through broad education and training in economics, technology and business management. How can we bring disenfranchised people back into the world community? We have to correct the alleged cultural deformities that are supposed to have lead terrorists to hate and kill us. To understand this, we must find out who our attackers are and what they actually want. We know for a fact the attackers hate the West because the West is prosperous. To straighten out the political and intellectual mess we face today, we must reaffirm our commitment to reason and freedom by protecting ourselves from killers, foreign and domestic, physical and intellectual. 

FAILING EDUCATION SYSTEMS

Around the world, education systems are failing at their core task: to prepare students to be productive members of society. Many educators, politicians and social experts have recognized that education is crucial to reducing the gap between rich and poor. They all know how important it is to teach skills and values people need to succeed in a changing world. For decades, multilateral organizations like the World Bank and the United Nations have poured resources into educational reform. Despite all the efforts, UNICEF estimates that nearly a billion people–a sixth of the world population–are illiterate. 

INNOVATIVE LEARNING SYSTEMS

A comprehensive solution to educating developing countries is clearly needed, and innovative new learning systems are a critical source of ideas and experiences that can shape this solution. The old method of teaching – feeding facts to people – needs to be replaced by a new learning process. Learning must be integrated into the lives of people, taking into account their sociocultural environment. The gap between the richest and the poorest around the world can only be closed by providing an opportunity to improve economic well-being. Our approach is to provide education in business management and economics across numerous disciplines in order to foster understanding between diverse cultures. 

DYNAMIC SKILLS CONCEPTS

This means developing analytical, problem-solving and leadership skills. The focus on dynamic skills and concepts rather than static facts will prepare people to adapt and flourish in today’s changing environment. In short, we will teach them life skills. We understand the frustration resulting from mind-numbing transfer of mere data. People need to learn by developing and fine-tuning their minds so they can participate in a world full of opportunities. The charter is large and posts tremendous challenges. To gain an effect as quickly as possible, the effort must be designed to overcome initial obstacles and gain momentum. This can only be accomplished with a broadly sponsored and well-funded educational project. And since the effort is primarily focused on economically underprivileged people within developed and developing nations, this approach is believed to have the largest possible effect. 

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The educational programs must be designed to be objective and clearly focused on subject matters; they must be free of political, religious, ethnic and other emotional values. Further, the programs must have a dual orientation: they must include educational content and teach practical applications. For the first time in history, computer-based educational programs can be designed and structured to reach every corner of the earth. Online programs can deliver high-quality, content-rich, low cost education and training programs. 

FOSTERING INTERCULTURAL UNDERSTANDING

The World Education Project of United States Online University was created to support underprivileged students within developed and developing nations. The project supports post-secondary and work- related e-learning for students with the objective of securing gainful employment and fostering intercultural understanding. The purpose of the project is to reach out to people worldwide and guide them in becoming productive members of their respective societies and responsible citizens of our world. 

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

• The World Education Project commits resources only after conducting detailed needs analyses. 
• Strategic partnerships with universities, corporations and organizations will help to create the infrastructure for implementing online learning. 
• The World Education Project invites companies, organizations and individuals to help develop a Knowledge Pool of cutting-edge knowhow and innovative solutions to problems facing our world today. 
• The goal is to produce a series of Online programs based on interviews with leading thinkers, Nobel prize winners and the “Leonardo da Vinci’s of our time”. 
• All the courses will be available worldwide for non-commercial purposes free of charge. The program series will be widely distributed to schools, universities, government agencies, churches, community action groups, and the media. 

THE DYNAMIC LIFE EDUCATION SERIES

The Dynamic Life Education Series is targeted to the international public, especially young students. This project is a first step in the direction of developing a shared global curriculum that addresses all the major problems young people currently face. The series is designed to meet the real educational needs and interests of young students and their teachers. By presenting world-class knowhow and action plans in a stimulating way, the program will attract young people worldwide to implement the practical solutions and awaken a sense of personal responsibility.