1 November 2025

“It’s Global Education Time”: Multistakeholder Seminar in Sofia Strengthened European Cooperation on GCE.

On 15 and 16 October 2025, Sofia hosted the multistakeholder seminar “It’s Global Education Time: Sharing GCE Policy, Research and Practice,” a major event of the GET project dedicated to advancing Global Citizenship Education (GCE) across Europe. The seminar was part of the project’s broader effort to enhance the capacity of European education systems through the integration of GCE principles.

Organised by ARCI Bulgaria in collaboration with the project’s lead partner CISP, and with the active involvement of Bridge 47, the event gathered a wide range of participants from across the continent, including researchers, policy makers, educational authorities, teacher educators, civil society representatives, and European institutions. The two-day programme combined plenary sessions, thematic workshops, round tables, and peer-exchange spaces that encouraged inclusive dialogue and collaboration.

A keynote address was delivered by Rilli Lappalainen, who provided an inspiring overview of the global education landscape and highlighted the importance of cross-sector partnerships in advancing transformative education. His contribution set the tone for meaningful exchanges throughout the seminar and reinforced the role of collaborative action in promoting global citizenship.

During the event, findings from the comparative research on the integration of GCE in national education policies and school curricula across eight European countries—Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain—were presented and examined. The study focused particularly on subjects such as history, geography, and civic education for students aged 11 to 16. Participants discussed how GCE currently appears in curriculum documents and explored opportunities to strengthen its presence through coordinated policy and practice.

The sessions also addressed the positioning of GCE-related policies within European education systems and examined ways to foster stronger synergies between academic research, institutions, and classroom practices. The lively discussions and exchanges revealed not only shared challenges but also promising examples of innovation in promoting critical thinking, participation, and global awareness in education.

Insights and reflections collected during and after the seminar highlighted the importance of sustained cooperation among stakeholders, including networks such as Bridge 47, to ensure that GCE remains a central component of quality education in Europe.

Source: Global Education Time