Global Schools’ 2024 Annual Report Showcases New Initiatives and Global Impact

NEW YORK (August 18, 2025) — The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s (SDSN) Global Schools Program (GSP) is thrilled to launch its 2024 Annual Report. This report showcases Global Schools’ work with schools and educators integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 4.7 into their classrooms worldwide.

In 2024, the Global Schools network expanded to 2,283 schools, welcoming 450 new schools to its global community. The program trained 420 educators across 91 countries and territories as Global Schools Advocates, who in turn reached 67,261 students and 35,903 community members, parents, and staff through whole-of-school sustainable development activities. Advocates also facilitated training-of-trainers workshops for nearly 9,600 educators within and beyond their own school communities.

A major focus in 2024 was the launch of new programmatic initiatives, including the Ages of Globalization course by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of the SDSN, and the UN at Your Doorstep initiative, which reached 5,000 learners from 160+ countries. Global Schools also announced its new Schools for Goal 7 program on renewable energy with Siemens Energy, piloted in 2025.

Global Schools also debuted its Case Study Guide Volume 2 at the ECOSOC Partnership Forum, highlighting innovative school practices for integrating ESD into curricula. Additional content releases included 60 Hindi-language lesson plans and new pedagogical materials on youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and human rights.

Representatives from Global Schools participated as speakers, workshop leaders, or delegates in numerous international events, including the World Environmental Education Congress, the ECOSOC Partnership Forum, the ECOSOC Youth Forum, Schools 2030, the AFS Youth Assembly, the International Conference on Sustainable Development, the World Logic Day Forum, and the Penn State K-12 Sustainability Summit.

In addition, Global Schools formed new partnerships with the Hearst Foundations, Siemens Energy, Compass Education, the Institute for Humane Education, the Foundation for Environmental Education, and Generation Global (now a program of the IB).

Global Schools extends its sincere gratitude to its donors, partners, Project Leads, Project Officers, consultants, Senior Mentors, Mentors, Advocates, alumni, and interns who have supported its mission.

“I’m honored to present the 2024 Global Schools Annual Report, highlighting the extraordinary work of our staff, consultants, schools, educators, advocates, Project Officers, and partners across the globe. In a year marked by growing geopolitical uncertainty, climate disruption, and rapid acceleration of digital technologies in the classroom, Global Schools has remained committed to advancing transformative education and supporting educators in advancing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in their curricula, pedagogy, and school culture.” - Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, University Professor at Columbia University and President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

"We are thrilled to reflect on our work and our 2024 accomplishments to bring education for sustainable development to school communities globally. We are honored to work with so many passionate individuals, partners, schools, educators, and communities around the world that are dedicated to building a more sustainable future for all. We look forward to advancing our mission through new training, curriculum, and partnerships as well as through the expansion of our global network in the years to come.” - Amanda Abrom, Director, Global Schools Program

“I am so incredibly proud of all the achievements that the Global Schools Team has achieved in 2024. Our dedicated Project Officers, Advocates, Mentors, and partners have clearly demonstrated that no person is too small to make a global impact. The smallest spark can ignite a movement; the smallest ripple can stir oceans. I am so excited to continue advancing Global School’s mission of reaching as many students worldwide with education for sustainable development and contributing to the 2030 agenda for years to come.” - Kendra-Lee Heney, Education Lead, Global Schools Program

Download the Global Schools Annual Report.

For more information on Global Schools, visit globalschoolsprogram.org, and follow Global Schools on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.