Youngsters today are exposed to an increasingly globalised and interconnected world. Globalisation brings opportunities, but also complex challenges for future generations. 2Therefore it is not without reason that young people demand to be equipped with the knowledge and skills that are needed to understand complex problems, to adapt, to find solutions and to engage with others. 

Global Citizenship Education (GCE) can be an answer to their demand as it stimulates the potential of young people in their quest for a fairer and more sustainable world. This is all the more true for youngsters in technical and vocational schools, where they, as future professionals, need to demonstrate skills such as flexibility, critical thinking and creativity. 

Past research by BeGlobal has already shown that GCE practices and methods are mostly developed for general education. Moreover, research (e.g. ICCS, 2016) points to a gap between citizenship skills in general education and (T)VET. In technical and vocational secondary schools, a practical approach is essential. 

To prepare youngsters in Belgian (T)VET education for this changing and increasingly complex world, BeGlobal seeks:

• • • to understand the needs of these learners and schools,
    • to strengthen bridges between (T)VET schools and Belgian GCE actors,
    • and test out new methods and practices in pilot projects. 

By taking stock of knowledge on GCE in (T)VET, by testing new approaches and methods with key stakeholders – schools, students and external partners (NGOs) – and by coming together to learn and get inspired! Three parts of the project should reinforce each other and aim to acquire and share knowledge, in order to enhance a sustainable impact. 

Current state of knowledge on GCE in (T)VET

The study was conducted by a research team from UCLL-Hogeschool. This review of national and international literature, complemented by interviews with NGOs and teachers on the current state and challenges of global citizenship education in technical and vocational education in Belgium. The study also provides recommendations to set up a GCE initiative in (T)VET education. 

Testing new approaches and methods

A roadmap and good practices emerged from the study’s recommendations. Using these, two schools, one in Wallonia-Brussels and one in Flanders, are creating a new GCE initiative. They are doing so together with pupils and in co-creation with NGOs. 
The pilot projects have two main objectives: 

• • Foster innovation: develop and test new methods and practices to improve students’ GCE skills in technical and vocational education;  
  • Testing a hypothesis: “If a GCE initiative starts from the school’s needs and challenges , does that help strengthen GCE in (T)VET?”

Coming together to learn and get inspired

This network aims to bring together different actors from the TVET and the GCE sector. The goal of the CoP is to create space to share experiences and knowledge on global citizenship education in technical and vocational education. 

The Community of Practice hasn’t been created yet.

Don’t hesitate to contact beglobal@enabel.be!