Resources
Explore a wide range of valuable resources on GCED to deepen your understanding and enhance your research, advocacy, teaching, and learning.
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UNESCO World Heritage sites: key to biodiversity conservation Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO 
Safe, seen and included: report on school-based sexuality education Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO <Short summary>Why we must empower all learners through inclusive comprehensive sexuality education This report highlights the critical need for inclusive comprehensive sexuality education that embraces diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions to create a safe and inclusive learning environment for all learners. While progress has been made globally in promoting and implementing high-quality comprehensive sexuality education, there are still shortcomings in evidence-based curriculum and delivery, and discrimination based on sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions remains prevalent and harmful.Through insightful analysis, case studies and exemplary practices from various countries, this report offers valuable recommendations to policy-makers, educators, and civil society groups. It emphasizes the significance of pre-service and in-service teacher training, as well as effective monitoring, to ensure the wellbeing of learners in all their diversity. By embracing these recommendations, we can unlock the gendertransformative power of education, fostering holistic development and providing a supportive space for all learners. 
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence in an era of generative AI Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO <Short summary>Experiments reveal how generative AI facilitates gender-based violence Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) — deep-learning models that create voice, text, and image — are revolutionizing the way people access information and produce, receive and interact with content. While technological innovations like ChatGPT, DALL-E and Bard offer previously unimaginable gains in productivity, they also present concerns for the overall protection and promotion of human rights and for the safety of women and girls.The arrival of generative AI introduces new, unexplored questions: what are the companies’ policies and normative cultures that perpetuate technology-facilitated gender-based violence and harms? How do AI-based technologies facilitate gender-specific harassment and hate speech? What “prompt hacks” can lead to gendered disinformation, hate speech, harassment, and attacks? What measures can companies, governments, civil society organisations and independent researchers take to anticipate and mitigate these risks?A combination of measures are proposed to be put in place by generative AI companies and the technology companies that platform them, regulators and policy makers, by civil society organisations and independent researchers, as well as users. 
Urban heritage for resilience: consolidated results of the implementation of the 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape; 3rd Member States Consultation Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO <Short summary>Integrating heritage conservation with urban development plans: fosters inclusive and sustainable local development Urban heritage, including its tangible and intangible attributes, constitutes a key resource in enhancing the liveability of urban areas and fosters economic development and social cohesion in a changing global environment. The UNESCO 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape has contributed towards promoting a holistic approach to managing historic urban areas. The third Member States consultation on the implementation of the 2011 Recommendation conducted between June to November 2022 emphasizes both the importance and the urgency of integrating heritage conservation with urban development plans, disaster risk reduction and climate action at the local level.The report covered six thematic areas of implementation that captured the key principles of the 2011 Recommendation in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the mapping and inventorying of heritage values and attributes, governance mechanisms, laws, regulations, and planning tools to protect these different attributes, inclusive and participatory decision-making, equitable economic development, the impacts of climate change, and the use of digital technologies for managing urban heritage including capacity building.The publication includes key recommendations emerging from consultations with international experts, exchanging innovative practices, developing guidance, tools, and initiatives, notably on planning, civic engagement, regulatory frameworks and financial mechanisms and management to support the implementation of the 2011 Recommendation. 
UNESCO Strategy for Youth and Adult Literacy and its Action Plan (2020-2025) Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO I. Introduction1. The international community has set an ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development1, with education and learning central to its achievement. The vision of the Incheon Declaration2, Education 2030, is fully captured by Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. Education 2030 devotes considerable attention to literacy and adult learning including through Target 4.6 and related indicative strategies.2. By 205 EX/Decision 6.III, the Executive Board requested the Director-General to review, update and improve the vision and strategy for literacy to contribute to SDG 4 – Education 2030, and to present it at its 207th session, with a view to transmitting it to the General Conference at its 40th session. The present document therefore contains the draft UNESCO Strategy for Youth and Adult Literacy (2020- 2025). The Strategy was developed through an inclusive and participatory process, including research and analysis of key trends, online consultation of Member States and expert meetings. 
Global report on teachers: addressing teacher shortages; highlights Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO | International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 <Key Messages> 1. Globally, 44 million additional primary and secondary teachers are needed to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 — the attainment of quality education for all by 2030. Teacher shortages affect both developed and developing countries. Most of these teachers (7 out of 10) are required at the secondary level, and over half of those needed are required to replace existing teachers leaving the workforce.2. The challenge of teacher shortages is complex, influenced by an interplay of factors such as motivation, recruitment, retention, training, working conditions, and social status. Holistic and systemic approaches are needed to address the challenge effectively.3. Teacher shortages have far-reaching consequences, including increased teacher workloads and diminished well-being, discouragement of future educators, perpetuation of educational inequalities, and increased financial burdens on educational systems.4. Teacher attrition is also a global concern: between 2015 and 2022, attrition rates of primary education teachers doubled around the world from 4.6 to 9 per cent. Regardless of the country income level, and even remuneration, teachers are leaving the profession within the first five years of practice.5. Strategies to reverse teacher shortages need to address recruitment, attractiveness, and retention. Attractive career pathways with equitable access to professional development are vital to retain teachers and keep them motivated throughout their professional life.6. Inclusive policies are needed to promote gender equality in the teaching profession, address underrepresentation of women in certain subjects, levels and leadership roles and encourage men to enter and remain in teaching. Teaching workforces should reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, thus enhancing attractiveness and enriching learning experiences.7. Improving teacher working conditions is key to enhancing the supply of quality teachers, this includes involving them in decision-making and providing a collaborative school culture characterized by mutual support. 8. Adequate domestic expenditure on education plays a crucial role in financing education, particularly ensuring that teacher salaries are competitive. Investing in novice teachers can be a cost-effective longterm strategy to address teacher attrition. 
UNESCO in action for gender equality: 2022-2023 Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO <Short summary>Intersecting Global Crises Cannot Be Solved Without Gender Equality The compounding global crises that have emerged and amplified over the past two years require transformative, structural solutions if we are to build and shape sustainable and peaceful societies. Education has experienced the largest disruption in history as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis. Biodiversity has seen a steep decline – at alarming rates – on both land and in the ocean. Conflicts and emergencies that destabilise progress towards just and peaceful societies have increased in number, while human rights violations are multiplying in new contexts, including online and offline. The decisions we make and the actions we take – now – will have consequences for generations to come.None of these intersecting crises can be solved by one country alone and none of them are gender neutral. Placing gender equality at the heart of multilateral action can harness the talents, ingenuity, and visions of one-half of the world’s population. The standards of ethics and human rights demand gender equality. So, too, do the numbers. Some of humankind’s greatest challenges require efficient and tangible solutions. The paradigm shift is needed now.Yet, despite a growing demand for equity and justice, the UN now predicts it will take almost three centuries to close the gender gap. Under that reality, UNESCO will continue to meet barriers to its mandate and vision since gender inequality has a direct impact on all areas in which UNESCO works.This report shows how UNESCO and its partners have provided concrete and effective solutions during the 2022-2023 biennium to advance gender equality. It has reduced inequalities in and through quality education; it has empowered women in science and technology for environmental action; it has promoted inclusion and combatted gender-based violence; it has bridged the digital gender divide and it has promoted gender equality and women’s empowerment in crisis, emergency and early recovery contexts.UNESCO’s Global Priority Gender Equality is more relevant than ever. Together, we can amplify and expand its reach and multiply gender-transformative results for the benefit of women and girls, men and boys, all around the world. 
UNESCO's Communication and Information Sector: upholding information as a public good, advancing universal access, digital inclusion and freedom of expression Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO 
Inclusion and gender equality: brief on inclusion in education Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO <Brief on inclusion in education>Gender equality lies at the heart of inclusive education and efforts to ensure equal opportunities for all. To achieve inclusion and gender equality in and through education, governments must eliminate gender biases from curricula and learning materials, expand teacher training on gender-transformative pedagogy, and foster safe and inclusive learning environments to ensure that no one is left behind. This is key for the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in particular Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on ensuring the right to inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning and SDG 5 on gender equality.<Introduction>Gender refers to the socially constructed roles and relationships, personality traits, attitudes, behaviours, values, relative power and influence that society ascribes to the two sexes on a differential basis. Gender affects people’s lives every day in myriad ways. Gendered expectations, whether of oneself or of others, impact the choices people make. They structure people’s relationships and have the power to shape what people believe they can and should accomplish. Gendered power structures distribute and influence power, often resulting in systemic inequalities (UNESCO, 2021).Gender also intersects with other characteristics which can exacerbate education exclusion, such as age, geography, poverty, disability, ethnicity, indigeneity, language, religion, and migration or displacement status. Addressing the overlapping differences that create disadvantage and marginalization can help to build more inclusive and equitable education systems.Achieving gender equality in and through education is essential for inclusive education and inclusive societies. It is key to the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in particular Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on ensuring the right to inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning and SDG 5 on gender equality. In any country’s context, this means ensuring all learners have equal access to all levels of education, equal educational pathways and equal opportunities to apply the outcomes of their education. A world where inclusion and gender equality in and through education is achieved allows girls and boys, women and men and non-binary people to have equal rights and opportunities to education and the power and agency to shape their lives and futures.This brief discusses how gender equality impacts learners’ inclusion and the ways in which gender equality and inclusion are interconnected in education. 
Empowering women for the good of society: gender-based resilience Year of publication: 2023 Author: Squicciarini, Mariagrazia | Sarlat, Garance | Manca, Anna Rita Corporate author: UNESCO <Short Summary> Let’s change the resilience paradigmWhat are the root causes and drivers of resilience? Societal resilience is shaped by the unique roles that individuals play and their ability to respond to shocks, gender-based expectations and discriminations hinder women’s and girls’ ability to participate in, and contribute to, society. In times of crises, their vulnerability intensifies resulting in a weakened response that ripples throughout society.In response, UNESCO designed the first Gender-Based Resilience Framework. As a compass for inclusive policymaking, this report analyzes how differences in opportunities, needs and constraints impact resilience and proposes a measurement Framework based on: (1) fundamental human rights; (2) socioeconomic characteristics, such as health, education, work, political engagement, and climate justice; (3) contextual factors, such as values and perceptions.Moving beyond the standard approach of coping with and recovering from shocks; UNESCO calls for a gender-transformative resilience, which leverages the interrelations between individuals and institutions. Decision- and policy-makers, researchers, and gender equality advocates are invited to use and add to this Framework to effectively navigate through current and future crises.It is only by empowering all women and girls, and people of all genders, that we will be able to face the challenges ahead.