​​​​In line with UNESCO's mandate of laboratory of ideas, ASPnet pioneers innovative and creative pedagogies to translate global concepts into practice at the school level and to advance the transformation of education systems and policies. Strengthening education for global citizenship, sustainable development, health and well-being represents a top priority for ASPnet to empower learners to assume active roles in building more peaceful, tolerant and inclusive societies. ​

Financed through the UNESCO-Hainan Provincial People’s Government Fund for ASPnet, the following project launched in 2019: 

Teacher Training in Support of Global Citizenship Education (GCED) for sustainable development: Strengthening professional competencies for effective teaching of the cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural dimensions of learning

Well-trained and motivated teachers are the key to successful education. They can shape worldviews and attitudes, nurture potentials and skills and bring about behavioural changes in individual learners. They play an enormous role in equipping young people with knowledge, skills and values to actively participate in society and contribute to finding solutions to the pressing challenges our planet and humanity are facing today, both locally and globally. ​

In recent years, many countries have made tremendous efforts to develop or reform their teacher policy and practices, to mainstream emerging issues in the programmes of initial and in-service training. However, a lot remains to be done with regards to mainstreaming Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in teacher education and training. In many countries, it is not included in teacher education curricula nor mainstreamed into the school curricula. 

SDG4.pngIn consideration of this urgent need and to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 and specifically 4.7 and 4.c, UNESCO intends to strengthen, with and through ASPnet, the capacity of teacher educators to train teachers, and of teachers to foster the cognitive, social and emotional and behavioural learning dimensions of GCED and ESD associated transformative pedagogies for different levels and types of education (pre-primary, primary and secondary, technical and vocational).

Ultimately, through this global project, UNESCO seeks to empower learners, through their teachers, to become ethical, moral and responsible citizens, who engage and assume active roles in addressing and resolving local and global challenges.
​​Sustainable Development Goal 4.7

​By 2030, ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture's contribution to sustainable development.
​​Sustainable Development Goal 4.c

​By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing States.


The UNESCO ASPnet International Coordination Unit is undertaking different activities to attain this objective: