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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3rd Global Forum Against Racism and Discrimination: Final Document Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO The third edition of the Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination with the theme “Race to the top: putting racial equity and justice at the forefront of development agendas” was held in São Paulo, Brazil, on 29 November 2023 and 1 December 2023. At the invitation of Brazil, in partnership with the Ford Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, the Mover Foundation, Instituto Ibirapitanga, the Global Forum highlighted the importance of placing racial issues at the core of development and implementation strategies, with a view to socioeconomic development. The Global Forum welcomed Ministers, high-ranking officials of national bodies responsible for combating discrimination and promoting equality, mayors of the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities - ICCAR, academics, scientists, civil society actors, NGOs, artists and digital influencers to share good practices, strengthen commitments and discuss effective strategies to combat racism and various forms of discriminations, including recommendations on how to proceed. The Global Forum’s agenda covered several topics, such as co-creating inclusive policies with impacted communities’ inputs; increasing awareness-raising on historical systems such as transatlantic enslavement to better comprehend and dismantle their contemporary legacies such as racism; progress towards gender equality; enhancing the capacities of civil society to be an agent of change; addressing artificial intelligence and its role in perpetuating racism; protecting the rights of indigenous peoples; establishing legal and policy frameworks prioritizing anti-racism and anti-discrimination on a local and global scale; strengthening the roles of cities, civic spaces, artistic and academic communities; enhancing the importance of informed data baseline on equality for governments; and promoting social philanthropy to address racial inequality. The 2023 edition was also marked by the launch of new initiatives. One of the main outcomes of the Global Forum is the establishment of the UNESCO Network of Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Officials aiming to strengthen the development of innovative and inclusive policy solutions for peace, equity and non-discrimination. UNESCO has launched the new UNESCO Anti-Racism Toolkit, the Gender-Based Resilience Framework, the ‘Let’s Talk‘ project with Harvard University to combat prejudice against migrants, and the development of a new joint OECD-UNESCO briefing on combating discrimination against migrants. Volume X of the UNESCO General History of Africa, entitled Africa and its Diasporas, was also launched during the Global Forum. The publication offers a mapping of African diasporas throughout the world, valorizing their contributions to modern societies. 
Global Education Monitoring Report 2024/5: Leadership in Education; Lead for Learning Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: Global Education Monitoring Report Team Leadership matters in education. Strong leaders are needed to help institutions, systems and societies change for the better. Strong leaders work in collaboration with other actors towards the same goals. At the school level, they are the principals but also those who surround them, in the school and in the community, in positions of responsibility. At the system level, they are civil servants working as district officers, supervisors or planners. At the societal level, they are political leaders, as well as a very broad range of actors who help shape education goals, from unions and researchers to civil society and the media.Entitled Lead for learning, this report argues that, in pursuing specific goals, education leaders are more than just managers. They are change agents, who need the time, trust and support to focus on setting a vision and developing the people they serve and work with. The report calls for investment in and empowerment of school and system leaders. There should be fair hiring processes and growth opportunities that recognize the full scope of leaders’ roles. Moreover, leadership works best when it is shared, empowering others to lead as they can within their roles.There is no one leadership style that works. Different contexts, capacities and personalities mean that styles vary, and rightfully so. This, combined with the different goals that each leader is trying to achieve, means that their impact is hard to fully assess. Yet, all research points towards the critical need for strong leaders to continuously improve education quality. School leaders are second only to teachers for transforming student outcomes. Meanwhile, politicians wield huge influence in making equitable and inclusive education a national priority.Supporting this seventh Global Education Monitoring Report is a new series of country profiles on PEER, an online resource supporting policy dialogue and describing policies and regulations on school principal selection, preparation and development in the world’s education systems. 
Mainstreaming Social and Emotional Learning in Education Systems: Policy Guide; Highlights Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO UNESCO’s policy guide unpacks social and emotional learning (SEL) as a broadening of the educational process, from a focus on cognitive aspects to a balance between cognitive, social and emotional, and behavioural dimensions of learning, putting forward initial action ideas to guide its systematic mainstreaming in education. It builds on and extends previous work undertaken by UNESCO on SEL from the perspective of Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Building Strong Foundations for Health and Well-being Education, the Happy Schools Framework, and in multiple UNESCO Offices and Institutes. 
Governing AI for Humanity: Final Report Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: United Nations (UN) The United Nations Secretary-General’s High-level Advisory Body on AI’s Final Report, “Governing AI for Humanity,” builds on months of work, including extensive global consultations, and the publication of an interim report in December 2023. Proposals for Global Governance on AI This report outlines a blueprint for addressing AI-related risks and sharing its transformative potential globally, including by:• Urging the UN to lay the foundations of the first globally inclusive and distributed architecture for AI governance based on international cooperation;• Proposing seven recommendations to address gaps in current AI governance arrangements;• Calling on all governments and stakeholders to work together in governing AI to foster development and protection of all human rights. This includes light institutional mechanisms to complement existing efforts and foster inclusive global AI governance arrangements that are agile, adaptive and effective to keep pace with AI’s evolution. Extensive Global Consultations The report is the product of extensive consultations, involving more than 2,000 participants across all regions of the world, including via: • 18 deep-dive discussions on key issues with top experts• More than 50 consultation sessions across all regions• More than 250 written submissions from over 150 organizations and 100 individuals The Advisory Body also commissioned an AI Risk Global Pulse Check – the most comprehensive global horizon scanning exercise on AI risks to date – and an AI Opportunity Scan to crowdsource expert assessments of emerging AI trends. 
Sub-Regional Study on Transforming TVET in Ensuring Learning and Skills to Support School-to Work Transitions in Southeast Asian Countries Year of publication: 2023 Author: Jann Hidajat Tjakraatmadja | Hary Febriansyah | Yorga Permana | Lala Nurfitria | Farenza Fadil Corporate author: UNESCO Jakarta Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the transition from school to work are critical for young individuals to be prepared for entering the job market. The school-to-work transition signifies the transition from education to professional work and involves stages such as finding a job, applying theoretical knowledge and adapting to work expectations. In line with SDG-4, there is a need to improve the relevance of TVET systems, equipping individuals with the necessary skills for employment, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning. Three strategic priorities include promoting lifelong learning opportunities, fostering skills for an inclusive and sustainable economy, and ensuring inclusive and resilient communities. UNESCO supports Member States to address current and future challenges in the field of TVET, including the transition from school to work. Recognising the significant role of TVET in achieving SDG-4, UNESCO works closely with countries like Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of their TVET systems. These countries have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the quality of education and equipping individuals with the necessary skills for employment, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning. In the discussion of innovations and trends in TVET systems, there is a need to respond to rapidly changing labour markets through leveraging labour market data, tracer studies, and employer insights, expanding work-based learning to support the transition from school to work, modernising TVET curricula with new skills and competencies, strengthening TVET through private sector and community engagement. TVET is important for the transition from school to work in the sub-region of Southeast Asia, in line with SDG-4. Standardised practices are needed for better employability and mobility. Challenges include labour market mismatches and negative perceptions, but there are opportunities to partner with industry, update curricula, promote inclusivity and gender equality, and adapt to changing labour markets. Using labour market data, expanding work-based learning, and engaging the private sector and local communities are critical. TVET can transform individuals and contribute to sustainable development in the subregion of South-East Asia, creating prosperous and inclusive societies. 
Strengthening Social and Emotional Learning in Hybrid Modes of Education: Building Support for Students, Teachers, Schools and Families; A UNESCO-IBE Discussion Paper Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE) The COVID-19 pandemic intensified existing educational disparities globally, prompting a reevaluation of school curricula to include Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). This shift recognized the holistic needs of learners, teachers, and families, emphasizing competencies beyond traditional knowledge acquisition. Despite SEL's increasing global recognition, it is often absent from formal curricula, prompting the UNESCO-IBE to address this gap. This Discussion Paper explores the crucial role of SEL in the broader transformation of global education, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era. It highlights six key topics, presenting diverse experiences in integrating SEL into education. Experts from various fields contribute insights, focusing on socio-emotional and hybrid learning advancements worldwide. The report aims to inspire global change-makers, advocating for robust policies aligned with UNESCO's Futures of Education framework. This call to action aligns with the UNESCO-IBE's HELA initiative, promoting flexible hybrid learning models for crisis response and sustainable educational strategies in line with the UN Transforming Education Summit's vision. 
Research Report: A Comparative Study on Hybrid Learning in Schools Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE) During the COVID-19 lockdown, policymakers and educators faced an unprecedented challenge disrupting all levels of education. The initial optimism about replacing physical classes with virtual lessons diminished as complex interconnected issues emerged. To address the need for continuous and sustainable learning, school systems implemented variations of hybrid learning during the pandemic, seeking to integrate physical and virtual classes. These approaches prompted this comparative study led by UNESCO-IBE. The initial phase of this study involved collecting and analysing data on hybrid strategies from six countries. The research aimed to examine factors influencing hybrid learning implementation during the lockdown, with a subsequent focus on developing and validating a practical Hybrid Learning Framework for Schools. The cross-case analysis was designed not to rank or compare, but to understand and connect different scenarios and contexts. Phase I focuses on current hybrid learning practices and influencing factors, while Phases II and III will concentrate on using the information gathered to create and validate a Hybrid Learning Framework for Schools. Hybrid learning is not just a response to pandemics but also serves as a viable solution for other scenarios where full school attendance is difficult. Aligned with UNESCO-IBE’s overarching vision of a comprehensive, personalized, and democratized curriculum accessible to all, hybrid learning facilitates inclusive education across diverse regions, overcoming geographical and temporal limitations. The approach aims to unlock the unique potential of every learner, fostering a more flexible educational environment.Published in February 2024 by the UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE) with support from the European Union. 
Building Strong Foundations: How to Put Foundational Education for Health and Well-being into Practice (Building Strong Foundations Brief; 4) Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO | United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) The African Union’s designation of 2024 as the Year of Education highlights the critical importance of education for equipping young Africans with the skills essential for their own and for the continent’s development. It is also a recognition of the multiple challenges ahead before every child can complete primary school having acquire the foundational skills that open the door for lifelong learning. Currently the out-of-school population is rising, one in five children do not complete primary school and, of those who do, only about one in five achieve minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics. African countries have set targets on primary completion and foundational learning but to effectively translate their ambitions into results, the 2024 Spotlight continental report emphasizes the importance of coherence between their curricula, textbooks, teacher guides and assessments. It evaluates the alignment of these policy documents with each other but also with a global standard of what students are expected to know and by when. It also assesses how these key documents are used in classrooms and what the implications are for children’s opportunities to learn. This report is the second in a series of three envisaged between 2022 and 2025, each covering some 12 countries of which a selection is examined in depth, in dialogue with education ministries and national stakeholders. The focus countries for this second Spotlight report cycle were Mauritania, Niger, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. The statistics and analysis presented in this publication aim to feed into the policy dialogue mechanism under the auspices of the African Union and its Continental Education Strategy for Africa. In particular, the Spotlight series aims to spark debate on foundational learning among African countries and encourage them to identify areas for joined action, given that they share a lot of policy challenges. 
Building Strong Foundations: How to Include the Whole School in Foundational Education for Health and Well-being (Building Strong Foundations Brief; 3) Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO | United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) In a rapidly changing world, establishing strong foundations for children is vital for their well-being and resilience. Quality education is central to this endeavour and is the key to lifelong health and success. Recognizing that children thrive in the classroom when they are in good health, it is crucial to learn about health and well-being early on in primary schools. The Building Strong Foundations briefs, developed jointly by UNESCO and UNICEF, provide evidence-based guidance to support primary school-aged children to thrive through foundational education for health and well-being. Drawing from extensive research and consultations with leading experts from various fields and across the world, these briefs serve as a roadmap for education stakeholders to equip learners with the requisite knowledge and skills to navigate their current and future health and well-being needs. The present document is the third of four briefs. It explores how a whole-school approach to health and well-being in primary schools generates significant impacts on learners’ health, well-being and education. The brief shares practical guidance and case studies to distill six essential elements for an effective whole-school approach to health and well-being. 
Building Strong Foundations: What to Teach for Foundational Education for Health and Well-being (Building Strong Foundations Brief; 2) Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO | United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) In a rapidly changing world, establishing strong foundations for children is vital for their well-being and resilience. Quality education is central to this endeavour and is the key to lifelong health and success. Recognizing that children thrive in the classroom when they are in good health, it is crucial to learn about health and well-being early on in primary schools. The Building strong foundations briefs, developed jointly by UNESCO and UNICEF, provide evidence-based guidance to support primary school-aged children to thrive through foundational education for health and well-being. Drawing from extensive research and consultations with leading experts from various fields and across the world, these briefs serve as a roadmap for education stakeholders to equip learners with the requisite knowledge and skills to navigate their current and future health and well-being needs. The present document is the second of four briefs. It is a go-to resource to better understand what makes a primary school curriculum effective in supporting health, well-being and learning. The brief provides practical tips and insights on integrating core thematic concepts for health and well-being into the curriculum, including concrete examples of learning objectives for lower primary and upper primary curricula. Whether a seasoned curriculum designer, a passionate educator or an individual involved in primary school curriculum processes, this brief equips readers with the tools to design impactful curricula for transformative learning, health and well-being.