Global Citizenship Calendar 2026

Our Global Citizenship Calendar brings together key global days throughout the year – from climate action to human rights – all in one place.

Each date includes links to lesson plans, classroom activities, teaching resources, and relevant events, making it easy to explore global citizenship with your learners. Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to what’s happening in the world, this calendar is here to support you with meaningful, ready-to-use content.

FEBRUARY

Perfect for LGBT+ History Month:
Wain: LGBT Reimaginings of Scottish Folklore

A beautifully illustrated collection of LGBT-themed poetry for teenagers based on retellings of Scottish myths.

All month

LGBT+ History Month

2nd - 6th February

Reading Schools Week

9th - 15th February

Children's Mental Health Week

20th February

World Day of Social Justice

21st February

International Mother Language Day

MARCH

Perfect for International Women’s Day: The Breadwinner

Based on interviews with women and girls in refugees camps, this book explores issues around gender inequality.

6th - 15TH March

British Science Week

8th March

International Women's Day

8th March

International Day of Forests

21st March

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

22nd March

World Water Day

april

Perfect for Earth Day: Here We Are

This book combines words and pictures to describe the uniqueness and many wonders of our interconnected and interdependent world. 

2nd April

International Children's Book Day

7th April

World Health Day

20th - 26th April

Fashion Revolution Week

22nd April

Earth Day

MAY

Recommended reading:

Perfect for World Fair Trade Day:
Kick

This book explores the injustice of world in which it takes a professional footballer seconds to earn the wage of child labourers who make his boots.

9th May

World Fair Trade Day

17th May

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

21st May

World Day for Cultural Diversity​

22nd May

International Day for Biological Diversity​

JUNE

Perfect for GRTHM:
Yokki and the Parno Gry

 A traditional folk tale told by a Romani storyteller together with a picture book author to positively reflect Travelling cultures.

All Month

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

All Month

Pride

5th June

World Environment Day

6th - 14th June

Great Big Green Week

15-21 June

Refugee Week

20th June

World Refugee Day

JULY

Perfect for Plastic Free July:
Clean Up!

An empowering book for Early Level learners about taking action to protect our environment.

ALL MONTH

Plastic Free July

11th July

World Population Day

18th July

Nelson Mandela Day

4th July

International Day of Co-operatives

August

Perfect for International Youth Day: Every Child A Song

This book introduces young readers to the universal rights that every child is entitled to under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

9th August

International Day for the World's Indigenous People

12th August

International Youth Day

19th august

World Humanitarian Day

23rd August

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

SEPTEMBER

Perfect for International Day of Peace: Wangari’s Trees of Peace

This true story provides an inspiring example for learners of how one person’s vision and determination can inspire great change.

5th September

International Day of Charity

8th September

International Literacy Day

15th September

International Day of Democracy

21st September

International Day of Peace

26th September

European Day of Languages

OCTOBER

Recommended reading:

Perfect for Black History Month:
Joyful Joyful

A beautifully illustrated collection of stories and poems celebrating joy, showcasing work from Black writers and illustrators from across the world.

ALL MONTH

Black History Month

6th October

World Habitat Day

11th October

International Day of the Girl Child

16th October

World Food Day

16th October

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

18th October

Anti-Slavery Day

NOVEMBER

Perfect for COP (climate):
Where The River Runs Gold

A story with hope woven throughout, set in a dystopian world impacted by climate change.

11th November

Rememberance Day

11th - 22nd November

COP31

18th - 22nd November

One World Week

18th - 22nd November

Global Education Week

20th November

World Children's Day

DECEMBER

Perfect for Intl Migrants Day:
Migrations: Open Hearts, Open Borders

A collection of postcards with images created by illustrators from 28 countries on the theme of human migration.

2nd December

International day for the Abolition of Slavery

3rd December

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

10th December

Human Rights Day

18th December

International Migrants Day

JANUARY

Recommended reading on Signposts:

Perfect for Holocaust Memorial Day:
On the Move

A poignant poetry collection exploring themes of migration, displacement, and the Holocaust.

19th January

Martin Luther King Junior Day

19th January

International Day of Education

25th January

Burn's Night

27th January

Holocaust Memorial Day

Explore Tools for Global Citizenship

Whether you're planning ahead or responding to what's happening in the world, these tools are here to support you with meaningful, ready-to-use classroom activities.

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