SUSTech University Council Vice Chairperson Li Fengliang led a delegation to attend the 2018 Asia-Pacific Regional GCED Network Meeting in Jakarta, whose theme is “Solidifying Regional Action for Global Citizenship Education (GCED).”

They were invited by UNESCO Asia and the Pacific’s Regional Science Bureau (Jakarta Office), UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education (Bangkok Office), and Asia-Pacific Center of Education for International Understanding under the auspices of UNESCO (Seoul Office). The meeting brought together more than 50 education experts and policymakers from ministries, universities, NGOs, UNESCO National Commissions, and UNESCO Field Offices. All stakeholders were aiming to identify the key GCED topics, challenges and opportunities in Asia and the Pacific, to share the GCED cases on curriculum, learning materials, methods and learning environment. The speech was well received and prompted further discussions on how science and technology universities should position itself and implement global citizen education.

The meeting took place between May 3 and 4. The first day raised such important questions such ashow to teach GCED in the classroom,what GCED competence addresses, and the role of GCED in extra-curricular activities. The second day focused on GCED outcomes, remaining gaps, capacity building, policy,and advocacy. The participants were divided into groups for brainstorming sessions with the objective to discuss these issues. Group work preceded the plenary discussion where presenters gave rise to an engaging conversation and finalization of the APA GCED Network Strategy.

At the meeting, Li Fengliang gave a keynote speech titled “The Role of Global Citizens in Innovation of Higher: SUSTech’s Practical Experience.” By introducing the goals of talent education at SUSTech (equipping students with patriotism, global vision, comprehensive ability and innovation capacity), he elaborated on how global citizen and patriotic national could complement each other and accordingly put forward the idea of fostering patriotic global citizens and leaders in Chinese universities. The speech was well received and prompted further discussions on how science and technology universities should position itself and implement global citizen education.

As one of the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 4.7), the concept of the global citizen is highly influential around the globe and has become part of the UN global development framework.

The meeting ended with a summary of recommendations for future action on networks’ objectives, partnership, monitoring and follow-up mechanisms.