dc.description.abstract | ● For UNESCO, Global Citizenship
Education (GCED) is an educational
approach that nurtures respect
and solidarity in learners in order
to build a sense of belonging to
a common humanity and help
them become responsible and
active global citizens in building
inclusive and peaceful societies.
GCED, combined with Education
for Sustainable Development (ESD),
converge in Target 4.7 of Sustainable
Development Goal 4 on Education
of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development.
● Since its emergence in the global
discourse on education (2012), GCED
has been a contested concept. For
some, it is perceived as dissociated
from local needs and realities, while
for others it is a timely approach that
underlines the need to sharpen the
relevance of education. Tensions and
debates around GCED have been
particularly intense in contexts where
the words ‘global’ or ‘globalization’
are misconstrued as referring to
processes that are exogenous to
their societies -- for instance, with
globalization being equated with
“westernization”.
● All the while, UNESCO has observed
that many countries and societies
have national/local/traditional
concepts that promote ideas that
echo those at the core of GCED (for
example, Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité
in France, Hongik-Ingan in Korea,
Ubuntu in Southern Africa). These
local concepts resonate with the three
notions that distinguish GCED from
other educational approaches: (i)
“respect for diversity”, (ii) “solidarity”,
and (iii) a “shared sense of humanity”.
● These concepts are rooted in local
cosmogonies, founding stories, and
national histories, and they can often
be found in constitutions, national
anthems, and government policy
documents, as well as in the writings
of historical figures (“founding fathers
and mothers”).
● Unfortunately, these concepts are
sometimes insufficiently known and
celebrated beyond their regions
of origin. They are also sometimes
insufficiently valued as meaningful
starting points to teach and learn
about GCED in ways that are locally
relevant. For these two reasons,
UNESCO has produced this document.
● The purpose of this publication is to
identify examples of concepts that
convey similar notions to those found
in GCED and can serve as effective
starting points for teaching it.
● On this basis, we hope to promote the
idea that GCED is not a new concept
but a shared aspiration among all
peoples to live together in peace,
both within and beyond their own
borders. | en_US |