What is the Global Classroom?

The Global Classroom is UNICEF Canada’s program to support and expand teaching and learning for children’s rights and global citizenship through a children’s rights approach to global education. It is through global education that children explore local to global issues and begin to demonstrate globally minded values and attitudes as they see themselves as active global citizens. The Global Classroom program works with the education sector to equip young people to live productively in a rapidly globalizing world.

What is a children’s rights approach to global education?

Understanding global education through a lens of children’s rights results in the use of pedagogy that models the very rights and rights-respecting behaviours global citizens are meant to uphold. Learners begin first by understanding their own rights and then progress to explore the ways in which those rights are accompanied by respect for the rights of others. By indentifying and using rights-respecting actions, learners can better relate to realities and injustices beyond their personal experience. It is then that responsible, active global citizenship, a goal of global education, begins to develop.

How can I connect children’s rights and global education to local issues/concerns?

Invite your students to check out how they can get involved with UNICEF, including joining conversations with other young people from around the world, advocating for children’s rights here in Canada, and taking part in a variety of activities across Canada. Click here for resources to help your students take meaningful action.

Is a children’s rights approach to global education applicable for every subject area? What resources do you have for my subjects and grades?

A children’s rights approach to global education pedagogy is applicable in every subject area, at every age. It is a multidisciplinary approach to learning, supported with resources that link to mandated curricula. Click here to view our professionally developed resources for Canadian classrooms.

How can my students get involved with UNICEF?

Invite your students to learn about UNICEF and connect with other young people from around the world. Use these online resources with your students.

I know UNICEF works with children, but am a bit unclear as to how.

We are the leading advocate for children's rights, active in 190 countries. In developing countries, we work with local partner organizations, other international non-governmental organizations and local and national governments to ensure children’s rights  (including the right to education, health and play) are protected.

In Canada, UNICEF builds awareness, raises funds and involves Canadians in the issues facing children around the world. UNICEF advocates for - and with - young people to ensure that our laws, policies, institutions and programs guarantee the rights of every child, at home and around the world.

You can learn more about UNICEF’s work here.