This year’s Scottish Parliament elections risk being drowned out by global forces that are shaking democratic norms and fuelling fear and division in our communities. We are facing a perfect storm of urgent crises. The climate emergency and rising inequality are driving instability worldwide – intensifying conflicts in Gaza, Iran, Sudan, Ukraine and beyond, displacing communities, and amplifying challenges here at home in Scotland.
Yet political leaders are not responding with the urgency these momentous issues demand. At the same time, disinformation is eroding trust in institutions and even in the idea of truth itself. In this environment, it can be hard to know how to act. But one thing is clear: education must be at the heart of the solution.
That’s why we are calling on all political parties to put Global Citizenship Education at the centre of their manifestos. It is essential for building a fairer, better informed, globally responsible Scotland.
Our calls are outlined in an open letter addressed to party leaders, signed by dozens of charities and educationalists from across Scotland.
Global Citizenship Education equips learners to understand -and shape- a fastchanging, interconnected world. It bridges classroom learning with realworld issues, strengthens critical awareness, and engages young people with the local and global challenges shaping their lives. It amplifies diverse voices, deepens understanding of the historic injustices shaping society today, and ultimately inspires hope and meaningful action for a more just and sustainable future.
Through our work, we’ve seen how transformative this approach can be. In classrooms and communities across Scotland, Global Citizenship Education empowers people not just to understand the world – but to change it.
This is why Scotdec is urging every political party to make a bold, clear commitment to Global Citizenship Education. We ask you to join us by signing this open letter from the Scottish International Development Alliance’s education committee and calling on party leaders to act now for Global Citizenship.
Sign the letter now! intdevalliance.scot/global-citizenship-education-open-letter/
