Perhaps for the first time in modern history, people from different cultures, identities, nationalities, and different strata and classes, speaking different languages – educated or not – shared a common experience at multiple levels. It is because the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the lives of everyone. Almost everyone, across the globe, felt the same fear, anxiety, and hope, and a sense of loss. There was also a rise in the demand for global engagement. Even after the Covid-19 pandemic recedes, this demand for global engagement is going to stay. And the world is going to become more interconnected because of advanced technologies.  

Our children will have to find a place in this new interconnected world. They will have to gain global competence and become global citizens if they want to flourish in the future. And to ensure that they can contribute anywhere in the world, Global Citizenship Education, or GCED, is very much necessary. For our children, it will open doors to new opportunities within the country as well as globally.

GCED, according to UNESCO, aims to “empower learners of all ages to assume active roles, both locally and globally, in building more peaceful, tolerant, inclusive, and secure societies.”

Equipped with GCED, our children can better engage with a diverse group and empathize with others. It also makes them more aware of different cultures and identities, and they can appreciate different perspectives. 

How GCED Helps Children?         

As citizens of the world, our children will have to be aware of the world that they live in and understand its complexities. GCED helps them gain that awareness and understanding. This enables them to play an active role, both locally and globally. They also learn how to live together with others as well as embrace human rights and social justice for everyone.   

In recent years, there has been an increase in incidents of racism, discrimination, and stereotyping. GCED teaches children to reject biases, stereotypes, and stand up against other oppressive acts. Once they become empathetic global citizens, our children can help build peaceful and inclusive societies.

We need transformative education so that our children can play a pivotal role tomorrow and successfully deal with the demands of the rapidly changing, interconnected world. Parents can also play a crucial role. They can make their children aware about discrimination, environmental causes, human rights, and other global issues. Educators and parents can use Learnocrate to make children aware about the world and its different cultures, societies, and systems. Its tools and materials can help our children become global citizens who are capable of making a great contribution to the society.