Good GCE has meant learners have developed enquiry skills, built confidence and started to make connections across their learning.

The Seeds for Change project led by Highland One World Global Learning Centre (HOW) provides practical guidance, suggestions and case studies to encourage GCE through a child-centred, play-based approach. Practitioners have been supported to create more Anti-Racist and gender inclusive learning settings, with stronger connections to nature. Examples of actions taken by participants include rethinking the school library to reflect the realities and lives of children of diverse backgrounds; inviting parents into school to share stories from their country and culture; transitioning to only “loose parts play” to avoid the use of gender-specific toys; and developing a small growing space in the nursery garden.

Good GCE has meant learners shared stories of peace with the Scottish Parliament.

With the support of Quakers in Scotland and a volunteer musician, learners at Oakgrove Primary School in Glasgow found out about the story of Wangarĩ Muta Maathai, the environmental and human rights activist who founded Kenya’s green belt movement and became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. This inspired a rich collaboration through which the pupils wrote, composed and choreographed their own performance to tell the story to others. Students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland were also inspired to support the pupils with their music making.

Photo credit: Quakers in Scotland

Good GCE has meant learners have been supported to explore, discuss and respond to issues related to climate justice.

One World Centre in Dundee and WOSDEC in Glasgow collaborated with Oxfam on an EU-funded Teach Climate Justice project. Free professional learning was provided to equip Scottish practitioners with the understanding, skills and confidence needed to bring climate justice into the curriculum, classroom and wider school community.

This project builds on previous work by IDEAS and partners to create an education resource for older learners that takes a human rights-based approach to climate justice.

Good GCE has meant learners have used their voices to advocate for the rights of others and campaign for change.

As part of their work as a FairAchiever school, learners at St John the Baptist Primary School in South Lanarkshire have taken part in many different activities to raise awareness of Fair Trade. This included speaking at, and meeting with MSPs during a special event at the Scottish Parliament to campaign for a Fair Trade Future and mark Scotland’s 10th anniversary as a Fair Trade Nation.

Photo credit: Scottish Fair Trade Forum

Good GCE has meant learners have been supported to think critically about and take action on issues of local and global relevance.

West of Scotland Development Education Centre (WOSDEC) collaborated with teachers on an education resource in partnership with the Scottish Nelson Mandela Memorial Foundation. When Mandela danced in the Square supports learners to explore Scotland’s connection with Nelson Mandela and feel empowered to take action on issues of importance to them today.

Good GCE has meant learners have been able to meet with decision makers to share their ideas and perspectives on local and global issues.

Pupils from Notre Dame High in Glasgow joined SCIAF at a Parliamentary discussion on the Loss and Damage Fund. A joint venture with Christian Aid and hosted by MSP Maggie Chapman, it was an opportunity to hear from partners, the impact of climate on people and planet and to keep the Loss and Damage Fund high on the agenda ahead of COP28.

Good GCE has meant learners have developed knowledge, skills and values across a range of curriculum subjects.

Teachers have changed their approaches to the teaching of maths after taking part in a number of professional learning opportunities with Scotdec framed around maths and Global Citizenship.

Good GCE has meant learners have critically engaged with climate justice issues.

Learners in the Scottish Highlands and North East Scotland have participated in learning and research on climate justice issues, culminating in MOCK COP and Model UN events.

In addition to building their knowledge and understanding of the climate crisis, learners also developed important skills including political literacy, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, cooperation, as well as a belief that people can bring about positive change.

Good GCE has meant young people have taken informed, inspiring and youth-led action for the Sustainable Development Goals.

Youth leaders across the north of Scotland received training on global citizenship and creative approaches to Anti-Racism. This led to a network of Young Changemaker groups being established who have worked in partnership with local NGOs to take action on a range of local and global issues.

This includes using music to explore the parallels between historical and contemporary migration issues and take action for positive change; visiting the Scottish Parliament to advocate for change on migration policy and creating a “living moss” artivism project to raise awareness of the climate emergency.

Good GCE has meant communities have been brought together to “address global issues and drive positive change in Scotland and around the world.”

Scotland’s International Development Alliance has established a Global Citizenship Steering Group made up of global south diaspora and ethnic minority community groups, educators, charities, academics and activists in Scotland who are committed to promoting and advancing the principles of global citizenship.

Good GCE has meant children and young people have been meaningfully involved in community deliberations on just transition.

Community stakeholders in north-eastern Scotland have collaborated to provide support for climate education in schools. This led to the creation of Young People’s Climate Action Plans in three areas of the city of Aberdeen.1 Similar plans for other areas in Aberdeenshire are now in the process of being developed in three areas of Aberdeenshire. Learners were also given the opportunity to consider and vote for different community proposals for an allocation of the Just Transition Fund.

Good GCE has meant health workers are able to access a set of tools which enables them to explore local–global connections through the lens of the SDGs.

Through the Bridge 47 project, IDEAS worked in partnership with NHS Scotland to develop resources and training opportunities to help bring the values and practice of GCE into Scotland’s public health sector. Staff from NHS Tayside have formed a Global Citizens group.

They meet regularly and organise an annual Global Citizenship Award scheme for medical and dental students to come up with projects or research linked to the SDGs, such as how to improve equality of access to healthcare, and modifying the design of personal inhalers to reduce CO2 emissions.