21st century

“EDUCATION,” Nelson Mandela said, “is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Global issues require global solutions. Citizenship Education (GCE) offers educators transformative pedagogy to empower learners to engage and assume active roles, both locally and globally, to face and resolve global challenges and ultimately to become proactive contributors to a more just, peaceful, tolerant, inclusive, secure and sustainable world.

Now being introduced around the world, Global Citizenship Education has three conceptual dimensions:

• Cognitive: To acquire knowledge, understanding and critical thinking about global, regional, national and local issues and the interconnectedness and interdependency of different countries and populations.

• Socio-emotional: To have a

sense of belonging to a common humanity, sharing values and responsibilities, empathy, solidarity and respect for differences and diversity.

• Behavioural: To act effectively and

responsibly at local, national and global levels for a more peaceful and sustainable world.

Learn more: en.unesco.org/gced Graphics: UNESCO. Chris Gauthier from Cleveland State High School.