Resources
Explore a wide range of valuable resources on GCED to deepen your understanding and enhance your research, advocacy, teaching, and learning.
191 Results found
The Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development: An Explainer Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO This is an explainer brochure of the new UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace and Human Rights, International Understanding, Cooperation, Fundamental Freedoms, Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development, which is commonly referred to as the Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development, about its purpose, history, content and potential to bring about necessary change. 
Berlin Declaration on Education for Sustainable Development; Learn for Our Planet: Act for Sustainability Year of publication: 2022 Corporate author: UNESCO From 17 May to 19 May 2021 around 2800 people – politicians, business people, youth leaders, scientists, Non-governmental organizations, and many more - from 160 countries came together virtually at the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) 2021. During the conference, they expressed their commitment to use the transformative power of education in order to address the global challenges we face. The Berlin Declaration was the main result of the conference.The Berlin Declaration on Education for Sustainable Development is an important document that emphasizes the significance of ESD for each and every one of us. It identifies concrete challenges the global community is facing and calls for changes that are urgently needed in order to fully integrate and strengthen ESD in all educational contexts. 
Culture in Times of COVID-19: Resilience, Recovery and Revival Year of publication: 2022 Corporate author: UNESCO | United Arab Emirates. Department of Culture and Tourism Culture in Times of COVID-19: Resilience, Recovery and Revival offers key insights on trends and structural transformations that can boost the culture sector as a cornerstone of an economy built on sustainability and well-being.A set of strategic development considerations are put forward for governments and their partners, in both the public and private sectors, to promote the value of culture as a public good, encourage cross-sector collaboration and holistically address the essential needs of the sector, while supporting cultural professionals in adapting to a changing world and providing equal access and opportunities across the culturalvalue chain. 
Climate Change and Sustainability in Science and Social Science Secondary School Curricula Year of publication: 2024 Author: Marcia McKenzie | Aaron Benavot Corporate author: UNESCO There is an urgent need to transform the way climate change and sustainability are taught in classrooms and at schools. Learners must grasp the environmental impacts of climate change, how climate change relates to their own context and what actions can be undertaken and contribute to making societies more sustainable, equitable, just and climate-resilient. The findings presented in this publication indicate that accelerated efforts are needed. In a study of over 530 Grade 9 science and social science curricula from 85 countries worldwide, we found that 69 per cent of curricula contained no references to climate change, while 66 per cent had no references to sustainability. Furthermore, while 69 per cent of surveyed teachers from eight of the countries studied reported that environment, sustainability and climate change topics were included in the science and social science curricula in their schools only 50 per cent included them in their teaching. While there is a notable inclusion of environment, sustainability and climate change in science and social science curricula across countries, the depth of focus of this inclusion varies widely. Cognitive learning prevails over social and emotional or action-oriented learning. Climate change and sustainability in school practices must be strengthened, with teachers playing a key role in enhancing integration through teaching methods and materials. 
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Instruments for the Sustainable Development Goals: A Global Outlook Year of publication: 2024 Author: Galindo Moreno | Manuel Ricardo Corporate author: UNESCO This publication explores the design, implementation and impact of science, technology and innovation (STI) policy instruments across regions, revealing diverse policy priorities and support strategies. Data from the UNESCO Global Observatory of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Instruments (GO-SPIN) platform shows that STI policy instruments are closely linked to the SDGs, particularly with SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 4 (quality education). Over three-quarters of these policy instruments target these goals. This publication advocates for the use of evidence in designing policies and policy instruments and underscores the importance of continuous monitoring of their implementation. Additionally, it recommends diversifying funding sources, enhancing program management, fostering communication with stakeholders, and applying policy instruments to promote transformative learning. 
UNESCO Futures of Education Report Explained by Members of the International Commission Year of publication: 2022 Corporate author: UNESCO Initiated by UNESCO, the International Commission on the Futures of Education has prepared a new report on how education can best shape the future of humanity and the planet. In this video, members of the Commission and its chair explain the main recommendations and defining features of their report, Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education. The report is part of UNESCO’s Futures of Education initiative which aims to rethink education and shape the future. The initiative is catalyzing a global debate on how knowledge, education and learning need to be reimagined in a world of increasing complexity, uncertainty, and precarity. 
The Impact of Climate Displacement on the Right to Education Year of publication: 2020 Corporate author: UNESCO Ce rapport tente d'expliquer les conséquences du réchauffement climatique sur l'éducation des populations, vouées à se déplacer pour fuir la dégradation de leur environnement, ce qui empêche les enfants de suivre une scolarisation complète et de qualité. This report attempts to explain the consequences of global warming on the education of populations, who are forced to move to escape the degradation of their environment, preventing children from receiving a complete, quality education. 
Recommendation on Education for Peace and Human Rights, International Understanding, Cooperation, Fundamental Freedoms, Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO Building more peaceful, just, and sustainable societies starts with education. It influences all aspects of our daily lives and our overall prospects while being impacted by our health and environment. In the global landscape of worsening climate change, democratic backsliding, persistent inequalities, rising discrimination, hate speech, violence and conflict, it can be a tool to address and prevent these problems in the future. And it can also be a long-term investment with increasing returns if shaped and deployed effectively. The new UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace and Human Rights, International Understanding, Cooperation, Fundamental Freedoms, Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development, which is commonly referred to as the Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development is a landmark guidance document that defines what needs to evolve in and through education to accomplish these goals. 
Mapping Cultural Policies in Small Island Developing States: Amplifying SIDS Voices in the Global Policy Dialogue on Culture and Sustainable Development Year of publication: 2025 Corporate author: UNESCO Mapping Cultural Policies in Small Island Developing StatesSpanning three sub-regions – the Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea (AIS), the Caribbean, and the Pacific – the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) represent 39 UNESCO Member States and 9 Associate Members. Countries and regional organizations have increasingly demonstrated their commitment in the context of fast-evolving policy landscape and cultural ecosystems, encompassing the different dimensions of culture through its diversity and a wide spectrum of concerned stakeholders. Today, a SIDS-specific, culture-led development vision is on the rise.Culture has a multifaceted impact on sustainable development pathways of the SIDS, from climate action, biodiversity protection and food security to economic diversification, social inclusion, gender equality or urban sustainability. The voices and aspirations of SIDS must be heard in the global policy dialogue, in acknowledgement of their priorities, opportunities and insights. International cooperation efforts by UNESCO and other organizations are also essential in identifying areas for future policy investment and adaptation at the national and regional levels.Following the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2022, SIDS are championing culture for sustainable development towards the adoption of a new Programme of Action, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS 2024-2034. 
Reimagining Our Futures Together: A New Social Contract for Education Year of publication: 2021 Corporate author: International Commission on the Futures of Education | UNESCO Our humanity and planet Earth are under threat. The pandemic has only served to prove our fragility and our interconnectedness. Now urgent action, taken together, is needed to change course and reimagine our futures. This report by the International Commission on the Futures of Education acknowledges the power of education to bring about profound change. We face a dual challenge of making good on the unfulfilled promise to ensure the right to quality education for every child, youth and adult and fully realizing the transformational potential of education as a route for sustainable collective futures. To do this, we need a new social contract for education that can repair injustices while transforming the future.This new social contract must be grounded in human rights and based on principles of non-discrimination, social justice, respect for life, human dignity and cultural diversity. It must encompass an ethic of care, reciprocity, and solidarity. It must strengthen education as a public endeavour and a common good.This report, two years in the making and informed by a global consultation process engaging around one million people, invites governments, institutions, organizations and citizens around the world to forge a new social contract for education that will help us build peaceful, just, and sustainable futures for all.The visions, principles, and proposals presented here are merely a starting point. Translating and contextualizing them is a collective effort. Many bright spots already exist. This report attempts to capture and build on them. It is neither a manual nor a blueprint but the opening up of a vital conversation.