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 

1. Peace
2. Human Rights
3. Globalization
4. Cultural Diversity
5. 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;

1. Capacity Building for Educators.
2. International Teacher Exchange Programme
3. EIU/GCED Research and Development of Materials
4. 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

1. To enhance teachers' understanding of GCED from anywhere in the world
2. To encourage and help teachers to promote GCED in real educational settings
3. 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.

1. Pre-primary-5-9 years
2. Upper primary- 9-12 years
3. Lower secondary- 12-15 years
4. 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

1. Technical Consultation on GCED
2. GCED Clearing house Website (www.gcedclearinghouse.org)
3. 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.