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Co-organized by APCEIU and the UNESCO Regional Bureau of Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (OREALC/UNESCO Santiago) in collaboration with the University of Chile’s Chilean Observatory of Educational Policies (OPECH), the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Network Meeting on Global Citizenship Education; “Towards a world without walls: global citizenship education in the SDG 4 - E2030 Agenda” took place on October 23-24, 2017 in Santiago, Chile. There were 45 participants representing civil society organizations, academic/research institutions and authorities from the region. This regional meeting built upon the achievements thus far in promoting GCED in the region.

The meeting was composed of panel discussions and working groups on the concept of GCED and the implementation of SDG 4 Target 4.7 in Latin America and the Caribbean. On the first day, the sessions and panel discussions dealt with the concept of GCED and its adaptation in the varied contexts of Latin America. Also, panel discussion suggested the role of education systems and pedagogical strategies in the construction of a just, peaceful and more inclusive society. On the last day, the sessions included indicators and measurements of GCED and the formation of the LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) GCED Network. The meeting discussions led to designing a framework for a LAC GCED Network.

Initiating the meeting, Ms. Cecilia Barbieri, Director ai of OREALC/UNESCO Santiago expressed appreciation to APCEIU and OPECH for co-organizing the network meeting and emphasized the significance of promoting GCED in Latin America and the Caribbean. She mentioned that “The role of educational systems such as informal and non-formal pedagogy is important in developing the concept of GCED in the specific contexts within the region.” Following Ms. Barbieri, Mr. Utak Chung, Director of APCEIU, in his remark asserted that “GCED should be contextualized in the region to promote the universality of the world and particularities of the region” and quoted ‘Buen vivir’ and ‘La Convivencia’, the essential philosophy of ‘Learning to Live Together’ manifested in Latin America.

To contextualize and regionalize GCED, participants discussed on ‘Hidden Citizenships’, ‘Excluded Citizenships’ and ‘Emerging Citizenships’ in Latin America. In the presentations and discussion, it was said that ‘Hidden Citizenships’ are historically denied and marginalized citizenships such as those of Afro-descent, indigenous and rural communities and ‘Excluded Citizenships’ are citizenships of migrants, children, women and displaced populations. ‘Emerging Citizenships’ suggests the rights of women and youth as deliberative actors.

Also, participants debated on the global, regional and local measurements of GCED. The discussion focused on the indicators, learning assessments and evaluations to measure social transformation in Latin America. Afterwards, Mr. Jesus Redondo from Chile and Mr. Nestor Lopez from Argentina gave presentations on the importance and development of networks, followed by practical participatory activities and interactive group works where participants discussed strategies and mapped out the short/long-term objectives and activities of the regional network for GCED. Participants agreed in continuing to develop a community of practice on GCED for the region that will enhance information exchanges among network participants. Follow-up activities of the regional network for GCED is expected to be implemented leading to the next high-level education meeting of the region.

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Building Solidarity and Contextualizing GCED in Latin America and the Caribbean through a Regional Network > APCEIU News - APCEIU (unescoapceiu.org)