UNESCO Launches Inaugural Global Citizenship Education Prize to Promote Peace and Justice Worldwide
UNESCO has officially opened nominations for the inaugural Prize for Global Citizenship Education (GCED), offering a powerful new global platform to recognize and reward exceptional efforts that advance peace, equity, and global understanding through education.
Established in 2024 with the support of the Republic of Korea, the GCED Prize is the first of its kind and will be awarded biennially. It acknowledges and celebrates initiatives that demonstrate innovative and impactful contributions to global citizenship education, a growing educational movement aimed at building more just, inclusive, and peaceful societies.
The prize features two award categories: one for youth-led organizations, and another for individuals, institutions, NGOs, and other entities. An international jury will select one laureate in each category, with each winner receiving USD 50,000. Nominations for the 2025 cycle are open until 1 September 2025.
Addressing Global Challenges Through Education
UNESCO emphasizes that many of today’s most pressing challenges—escalating conflict, the worsening effects of climate change, and rising discrimination and hate speech—are rooted in entrenched societal inequalities. GCED is positioned as a transformative approach to education that goes beyond academic learning to foster values of solidarity, responsibility, and active engagement.
GCED helps individuals develop cognitive, behavioral, and socio-emotional skills necessary to understand and respond to local and global issues. It empowers learners to see the interconnectedness of their communities with broader world dynamics and to take constructive action.
Education for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future
The prize is grounded in the UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development (2023). This framework views peace not merely as the absence of violence, but as a positive, participatory process built by collective actions at every level of society.
Projects recognized by the GCED Prize are expected to uphold and promote key educational values, including:
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Respect for human rights and diversity
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Empowerment to challenge injustice and inequality
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Promotion of inclusivity and reconciliation
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Prevention of violence, discrimination, and hate speech
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Development of critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving
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Mobilization of cross-sectoral partnerships in both formal and informal education settings
UNESCO hopes the prize will inspire educators, organizations, and youth around the globe to champion education that transcends borders and empowers learners to become agents of positive change.
For more information or to submit a nomination, visit UNESCO’s official website.
