Global Citizenship Education

What is Global Citizenship Education (GCED)?
This refers to a way of understanding, acting and relating one's self to others and the environment, based on universal values, through respect for diversity and pluralism.
The core themes of GCED are tailored around the culture of peace
- Peace
- Human Rights
- Globalization
- Cultural Diversity
- Sustainable development
What is 21st Century?
This is a global era influenced by a lot of science and technology. There are many global challenges including over population, climate, wars, refugees and the list is endless that require combined efforts to solve.
UN System - UNESCO
The United Nations is trying to create an alternative world with its various missions and strategies like MDG'S and SDG's that require combined efforts to be achieved.
The most important goal is the SDG number four (4)-which is 'quality education' that UNESCO is committed to achieving through various initiatives.
APCEIU: Asia Pacific Center of Education for International Understanding.
APCEIU is UNESCO Category II center established in 2000 by the Agreement between UNESCO and the Government of the Republic of Korea, being mandated to promote Education for International Understanding (EIU). This is being done through a number of processes and initiatives listed below;
- Capacity Building for Educators.
- International Teacher Exchange Programme
- EIU/GCED Research and Development of Materials
- Research and Policy Development Programmes on GCED (2016)
What Is GCED Online Campus?
1.An e-learning platform on GCED
2.For teachers interested in learning and teaching about GCED
3.Provides GCED online courses and a wide range of GCED-related teaching &learning materials
Reasons for establishing GCED Online Campus
- To enhance teachers' understanding of GCED from anywhere in the world
- To encourage and help teachers to promote GCED in real educational settings
- To contribute to Learning to Live Together
Based on the above topics, age-specific learning objectives and key themes have been suggested corresponding to age groups/level of education.
- Pre-primary-5-9 years
- Upper primary- 9-12 years
- Lower secondary- 12-15 years
- Upper secondary- 15-18 years
Areas that GCED seeks to address include
Global citizenship
Human rights and civic responsibilities
Environmental sustainability
Peace and conflict resolution
Cultural diversity
Interdependence
Climate change
Gender equality,
Strategies to Promote GCED
- Technical Consultation on GCED
- GCED Clearing house Website (www.gcedclearinghouse.org)
- Publications on GCED
The following are the countries selected to spearhead the implementation of the GCED.
Cambodia, Colombia, Mongolia and Uganda
Some of the Institutions already implementing GCED in Uganda
Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (UNATCOM)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
British Council Connecting Classroom
Indian Cultural Foundation
Uganda Cultural Heritage Foundation
Human Rights Network Uganda (HURINET-U)
Global Peace Foundation
Always Be Tolerant (ABETO)
Uganda Refugee Law Project (RLP)
Buganda Cultural Foundation
Agency for Promoting Sustainable Development Initiative (ASDI)
Global Partnership for Social Accountability(GPSA)
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)
Franklin Convey (Leader in Me)
GCED can be implemented through Formation of clubs like:
Interactive club
Patriotism club
Music Dance and Drama club
Debating club
Cultural club
Environmental conservation club
Young farmers club
Students councils
Scouts and girl guides
Games and sports activities
Participation of all stakeholders e.g.
Students,
Parents,
Teachers and
Support staff at schools
Institutional administrators (principals, head teachers).
Social partners and local community.
Consensus building
The development of curricular guidelines GCED
Preparation of relevant learning materials
Developing self-evaluation tools for schools.