“As the global community is facing an unprecedented health crisis and as contemporary challenges that threaten the rule of the law become a growing concern for many countries around the globe, it’s clear that all the problems we face are interconnected. As citizens of the same large community, we all feel connected and are called to work together to improve peace, wellbeing, and sustainable development.
Global Citizenship Education UNESCO’s solution to these issues. UNESCO’s Global Citizenship Education (GCED) is a form if civic learning. It aims at empowering people to understand, value, practice, and promote equality, tolerance, and peace throughout the world. Global citizenship emphasizes the interconnectedness of the local, national, and global. This area of work is underpinned by UNESCO’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Among them, Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), Target 4.7.
GCED aims at active learners all ages.
- Knowing their identity and position in a network of multiple relationships (family members, friends, school, country) is key to understanding global citizenship.
- You should be able to understand the structures and duties of local, national and global governance.
- To live harmoniously together, you must recognize, respect and accept differences.
- You should pay attention to the needs of others, especially those most vulnerable.
- To be able to recognize the importance of social justice and equity in society, as well to learn how to analyze inequalities in gender, socioeconomic position, culture, religion, or age.
- A sharp awareness, a solid moral sense and critical thinking skills are essential for their daily lives.
- Acquire the ability to take decisions and use the methods and tools for problem solving, negotiation, mediation, collaboration, dialogue, peace building and collaboration;
- Know your rights: Climate change, biodiversity, fair trading, fair trade and migration. ;
- You can reflect on the effect of your choices and decisions.
GCED is a lifelong learning approach that begins in childhood and continues through all levels of education until adulthood. To encourage broad participation, it requires both formal as informal interventions. These include educational programs as well extracurricular activities. It is essential that learners learn in a practical way, according to their age and in a variety of socio-cultural settings.
UNESCO has organized the andtwo Forums for Global Citizenship Learning in recent years. Education professionals from all regions have carried out research, consultations, experiments and other activities on the ground.
It now appears that GCED must take a multidimensional approach in order to meet the targets.
- Cognitive learning: Learning how to recognize, understand, and critically appraise global, regional, local, and interdependent issues.
- Socio-emotional learn: Feeling connected to others, sharing in the responsibilities, having empathy, being solidarious, and showing respect for all differences.
- Behavioural Learning: Taking responsibility for your actions locally, nationally, and globally in order to promote peace and sustainability.
Education can make a significant impact. Education shapes the future values. It is well-known that adolescence can be a pivotal developmental time. Identity, belonging, socialization, especially among peers, all play a key role. Schools play a crucial role in the socialization, development, and construction of ideas by young people. This work is often led by teachers, who along with their families have a major influence on young people’s attitudes and behaviors.
GCED is a key topic in today’s societies.
It should ensure future generations consist not only of citizens who can think critically, but also of educated and autonomous actors that are ready to build just, peaceful, inclusive societies.
