“We are living in a complex, interconnected and interdependent world. The dramatic global challenges that our planet and societies are facing affect all of us. They include conflicts, terrorism, poverty, climate change, environmental degradation and equitable management of natural resources.

In order to engage with 21st century problems and find solutions to tackle them locally and globally, learners need to be equipped with the relevant skills, knowledge, attitudes and values. It is critical for them to understand themselves and their connections with others, as well as realize their individual and collective impacts on the world around them.

Teachers have enormous potential to bring about change in society. They affect the lives of their students, they help shape worldviews and attitudes, they nurture potentials and skills. Well-trained teachers can empower learners to become global citizens and sustainable development actors who will help secure a more just, peaceful, tolerant, inclusive and sustainable world.

The Global Citizens for Sustainable Development Teachers’ guide aims to introduce teachers to Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). It provides secondary school teachers with ideas and activities to help students become global citizens and sustainable development actors.” (p.5 of Teacher Guide)

“The UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) in Action: Global Citizens for Sustainable Development student guide aims to introduce secondary school students to Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and provide them with ideas and activities to contribute proactively to a more peaceful and sustainable world.” (p.5 of Student Guide)