Global Schools Launches Fifth Cohort of the Advocates Program to Build Capacity of Educators to Teach Sustainable Development

April 16th, 2024: The Global Schools Program (GSP) is thrilled to open applications for this year’s Global Schools Advocates Program cohort. This initiative drives transformative change in classrooms by fostering sustainable development through enhanced teacher training, aligning with SDG 4.7.

Selected educators will participate in online training focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). This virtual format enables educators to engage with peers worldwide, gaining insights into the SDGs, action-based pedagogy, and integration strategies for ESD in the classroom. The training covers key topics such as the significance of sustainable development in education, tailoring SDG targets to local contexts, lesson planning, assessment techniques, and the whole-school approach.

Upon completing the training, participants will earn the title of Global Schools Advocate and receive the Global Schools Advocate Toolkit to begin their mission of weaving ESD into educational settings. Advocates will lead efforts to inspire educational change, embedding sustainable practices into school curricula and operations.

Participants in the program will benefit from:

  • Free online training to boost sustainable development knowledge;
  • Monthly virtual workshops and pedagogical sessions on practical strategies for infusing sustainability into classrooms;
  • Membership in an active network of educators committed to addressing global challenges through education;
  • Opportunities for visibility and engagement, including the chance to present their efforts at prominent symposia and in the Global Schools Case-Study Guide;
  • A mentorship program with an experienced educator from the Global Schools Advocates alumni network;
  • An extensive Advocates Toolkit with over 17 supporting resources to facilitate their initiatives in educational communities; and
  • A formal Certificate of Completion.

We invite educators to apply who are passionate about providing their learners with the knowledge and skills to address world challenges, such as climate change, injustice, inequality, and more. We also invite educators to apply who want to gain more skills and ideas to address these topics in classrooms. All pre-primary/primary/secondary teachers and school leaders worldwide are eligible for this free program. Educators may find the full terms of reference and requirements for this position here.

Please apply here by the final deadline of May 16th.

For more information about the Advocates Program, media inquiries, and interview requests, please contact: [email protected]

For more information on Global Schools visit: globalschoolsprogram.org

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About the organization: Global Schools is an initiative of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) is a global research and policy network launched by the UN Secretary-General to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. The SDSN is considered to be one of the world’s leading organizations in the field of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), with the Global Schools Program leading the primary and secondary education work.