#GlobalEd2030
It’s called many things in different countries – Global Citizenship Education, Education for Sustainable Development, Global Development Education, Human Rights Education, Peace Education. Regardless of what it’s called, it is a growing movement, as not only civil society organizations, but more and more ministries in an increasing number of countries recognize that this is not just an add-on, but an educational right. Furthermore, in schools and in informal and non-formal education settings, for a number of decades now, there have been many successful efforts to increase citizen knowledge and deepen critical citizen engagement in issues of global justice and solidarity. Global Education works – let’s place global justice at the heart of education.
The work in education and the concerns of citizens go hand in hand. The SDGs are huge and complex, while the budgets for global education and awareness raising are too small. Greater collaboration and support for Global Education and awareness programs, both financial and political, are needed to create critical engagement and achieve the SDGs by 2030.
Global Schools
In Belgium, and throughout Europe, schools and other education actors are engaging with global issues to ensure knowledge, skills, values and attitudes of citizens to lead productive lives, make informed decisions and assume active roles in facing and resolving global challenges. They are working toward the day when all people in Europe have access to quality Global Education. The global dimension of learning needs to be at the core of a curriculum for the 21st Century; it is essential for equipping learners with key knowledge and skills to support the achievement of a more just and sustainable world.
Global Citizens
While there is broad public support for international solidarity and the global goals, there is a lack of critical public knowledge of the causes and effects. Thanks to the work of Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, there are already great programmes in place to narrow this gap, in schools and beyond. Much more is needed.
Global Goals
The Global Goals provide a world-wide agreement for changing the world in measurable ways towards greater sustainability and life with dignity for all by 2030. Target 4.7. on quality education gives us an opportunity to join our efforts.