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Celebrating 7 Years of the Global Schools Program

Global Schools Program
2 days ago
4 min read

Written by Abigail Chifusa, Global Schools Project Officer

This week marks a truly special milestone in the story of the Global Schools Program (GSP) as we celebrate our 7th anniversary. From August 12th to 18th, we are inviting our global community to join us for a 7-day social media celebration that will take us on a journey from our early days to where we are today.

Over the past seven years, GSP has grown into a network that has reached thousands of educators; trained Advocates on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in more than 80 countries; and helped reshape lasting changes in education systems worldwide. What started as a vision to integrate sustainable development into every classroom has become a reality felt in communities, policies, and individual lives.

Officially launched in 2018 at the International Baccalaureate Summit in Vienna, Austria, GSP started its mission with a strong vision to equip educators and young people with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to integrate SDGs into teaching and learning. That same year, the program introduced the Global Schools Ambassadors Program, pioneering its signature approach of empowering educators and young leaders around the world.

By 2019, GSP was already taking big steps toward research and collaboration. At the Vatican Youth Symposium, the program announced the launch of pilot research projects to analyze curriculum for ESD linkages in Morocco, Ghana, and Türkiye. These pilots were conducted in partnership with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, Al Akhawayn University, the Ministry of Education in Morocco, the University of Education Winneba, Hacettepe University, and the Millennium Promise Alliance. This groundbreaking work sought to explore how education systems could localize the SDGs in diverse contexts. That year also saw the launch of a youth advocacy program, aimed at equipping the next generation with the skills to champion ESD in their communities.

The year 2020 brought a huge expansion of partnerships. GSP joined forces with UNESCO and other leading organizations to launch Mission 4.7, a global initiative focused on integrating ESD and global citizenship into formal, non-formal, and informal education.

In 2021, GSP introduced the re-branded Global Schools Advocates Program, designed to deepen engagement with educators committed to include sustainability in their classrooms. That same year, GSP presented its research findings on ESD localization in Morocco, Ghana, and Türkiye at the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development. A huge organizational milestone followed, as GSP transitioned from being a program of SDSN Youth to having official staff as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN) Secretariat, deepening its role within the global international system.

The program’s focus on practical, actionable tools became even more prominent in 2022 with the launch of the guidebook “Practicing Education for Sustainable Development: Case Study Guide for Educators.” This resource provided educators with real-world examples of how ESD can be implemented in classrooms, bridging theory and practice. In 2023, GSP introduced the comprehensive toolkit “From Commitment to Action: Integrating Sustainable Development into National Education Priorities: A Practical Guide for Policymakers, Practitioners, and Researchers.”

Beyond these specific milestones, over the past seven years, Global Schools has grown into an experienced international network, encompassing ~2,200 schools, 1.9M students, and ~140,000 educators across more than 100 countries worldwide. Global Schools has developed lesson plans in 14 languages, project-based learning and systems thinking activities guide on sustainable development topics; teacher handbooks; assessment frameworks; curriculum guidance, and more. Overall, 1,800+ educators have completed the Global Schools Advocates Program. These educators have trained an additional ~40,000 teachers via our training-of-trainers model; engaged ~300,000 students in school-wide lessons and activities that promote local action to solve sustainable development challenges; and involved ~100,000 community stakeholders and parents in local initiatives. Furthermore, we have launched new programs and partnerships such as the Schools for Goal 7 Project, UN at Your Doorstep, and Ages of Globalization, which will be detailed further in our upcoming Annual Impact Report.

The success of GSP is driven by its Project Officers (POs), both past and present, who have contributed creativity, dedication, and countless hours to bring this vision to life. POs play a crucial role in connecting our strategic goals and the schools, educators, and students that we support. Our POs have consistently driven innovation by leading teacher training, facilitating collaborations, and developing impactful educational resources that inspire classrooms worldwide. Therefore, during this celebration, we will shine a spotlight on the POs and showcase the individuals behind the names and roles that have shaped GSP’s journey.

Our campaign also honors the important role of Global Schools Advocates, Alumni, Mentors, and Senior Mentors who are all passionate educators and changemakers that bring ESD and the SDGs to life in classrooms worldwide. Their passion inspires students to understand global challenges and also to take meaningful, impactful action in response.

We want to take this opportunity to thank our partners, who have supported us with resources, expertise, and networks to expand our reach and deepen our impact over the last seven years. These partnerships are important to the GSP community and to the shared journey we’re on to create real, lasting change together.

From August 12th - 18th, we will be sharing stories, videos, and memories from across our network. We invite everyone to be part of this celebration, which will culminate in the launch of our Annual Impact Report on August 18th. Follow along, share your story, and help us mark seven years of transforming education for a sustainable world. Together we’re shaping the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and changemakers.

Here’s how you can take part:

Watch our tribute videos on our social media platforms and meet our POs.
Engage with our social media posts by liking, sharing, and commenting on your favourite stories.
Share your own GSP memories using our campaign hashtag, #GSPat7, celebrating how the program has touched your life or community.
Read and share the Annual Impact Report on August 18th, helping us spread the message that education can and must be a driver of sustainable development.