Background

Global Citizenship Education (GCED) has been recognized as a critical element to equip learners with knowledge, values, skills, and attitudes so that they can contribute positively as active and responsible citizens to realizing a more peaceful, just, inclusive and sustainable future. This recognition is embodied in the inclusion of GCED into Target 4.7 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Education 2030 in 2015. Since then, UNESCO Member States have been striving to intensify their efforts for mainstreaming GCED into their education system, including policies, curricula, teacher education and student assessment.

However, the progress in realizing SDG 4, including Target 4.7, is deemed as “too slow” (The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic, without a doubt, has reversed the advancements made in education and exacerbated social issues, including discrimination, racism, hate speech and disinformation. At the same time, the unprecedented educational and social challenges resulting from the pandemic has made the global community further recognize the significance of implementing GCED in addressing the issues. With less than ten years before the conclusion of the SDGs in 2030, more commitment and actions from all stakeholders are required to ensure the achievement of the education goals, including GCED.

Against this background, the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) and the SEAMEO Secretariat will co-organize a virtual consultation meeting on GCED with Southeast Asian countries. The meeting aims to gather key representatives from Southeast Asian countries to update on the GCED implementation and discuss the challenges and opportunities faced on the ground. Moreover, participants are expected to discuss possible areas of cooperation on GCED among Southeast Asian countries, SEAMEO and APCEIU to expedite the realization of Target 4.7 that also aligns with SEAMEO Priority Area No. 7 on “Adopting a 21st Century Curriculum” and SEAMEO Strategic Plan 2021-2030 Culture Priority Areas on enhancing “Peace and Inter-Cultural Understanding” and “Literacy and appreciation in the modern world”.

The meeting will also be an opportunity for participating Southeast Asian countries to share their current action plans as a follow-up to the “Sub-Regional Workshop on GCED in Southeast Asia” organized by APCEIU and SEAMEO back in 2019. Moreover, through receiving information about other country’s experiences and best practices, the meeting is expected to strengthen the GCED Network in the region further.