Calling all Educators: Join the Cohort 6 of the Global Schools Advocates Program!
The Global Schools Advocates Program is a transformative opportunity for teachers and school leaders worldwide, designed to cultivate knowledge, skills, and values aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This program supports educators in embedding themes of sustainability, justice, and equity into their classrooms, fostering a generation of students equipped to address global challenges.
About the Global Schools Advocates Program
Created by Global Schools, this program is informed by insights from over 220 sustainable development experts and 40+ educators, ensuring a rich, research-backed approach. It provides training, resources, and a supportive community to help educators integrate sustainable development into curricula, school operations, and classroom practices.
Deadline to Apply: November 24
Key Program Components
1. Tailored Training in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
Educators will engage in a self-paced, comprehensive online training program that covers the essentials of ESD and introduces ways to integrate the SDGs into everyday teaching. This asynchronous training includes optional synchronous sessions and requires about 10-15 hours to complete.
Upon completion, advocates earn the title of Global Schools Advocate and receive the Global Schools Advocate Toolkit. This toolkit contains essential resources to support their ESD journey, including:
- 17+ educational documents for practical guidance
- Customizable lesson plans and activities
- Strategies to align ESD goals with local curriculum needs
2. School and Community ESD Engagement
Advocates play a crucial role in introducing ESD across their schools, sharing sustainable development concepts with students, faculty, and leadership. This component includes:
- School Workshops: Advocates conduct workshops for colleagues, inspiring broader engagement with sustainable development themes.
- Classroom Activities: Using provided lesson plans, advocates integrate sustainability topics directly into their teaching, sparking discussions and inspiring students to consider their role in sustainability.
- Local Adaptation: Resources provided are flexible, allowing educators to adapt ESD activities to reflect local community needs and cultural context.
3. Flexible ESD Integration
Global Schools supports advocates in developing sustainable initiatives without the constraint of a predefined curriculum. Educators can personalize the program based on their students’ needs and the school’s focus areas, guided by Global Schools resources and mentorship.
4. Global Engagement and Professional Development
The program includes structured mentorship, monthly professional development sessions, and opportunities for advocates to share experiences, both with peers and at prominent forums. Benefits include:
- Mentorship: Each advocate is matched with a mentor, an experienced educator who has completed the program, to provide guidance and support.
- Networking and Collaboration: Monthly workshops allow advocates to connect, share ideas, and learn from fellow educators.
- Visibility and Advocacy Opportunities: Advocates are eligible to present their ESD work at major international events, such as the International Conference on Sustainable Development, the Vatican Youth Symposium, and the ECOSOC Youth Forum. This platform allows advocates to share their success stories and inspire others in the field of education.
Program Benefits
Educators who complete the program receive a comprehensive package of support and resources:
- Free ESD Training: A well-rounded training program covering sustainable development, designed to help educators introduce the SDGs effectively.
- Professional Development: Monthly online workshops that foster connections with global education leaders and SDG advocates.
- Global Educator Network: A community of like-minded teachers to collaborate on global issues and share best practices.
- Visibility Opportunities: High-performing advocates can gain visibility through conferences and a feature in the Global Schools Case-Study Guide.
- Mentorship Program: Guided support from educators experienced in the Global Schools Advocates Program.
- Advocate Toolkit: A set of 17+ supporting documents, lesson plans, and activity guides to integrate ESD.
- Certificate of Completion: A formal certificate recognizing the educator’s commitment to sustainable development and ESD advocacy.
Eligibility Criteria
Global Schools is looking for teachers who are:
- Engaged in primary or secondary education worldwide, including those teaching through programs like UN Volunteers, Fulbright, or Teach for All.
- Proficient in English to participate in training and networking activities.
- Able to dedicate 5-10 hours per week for training, collaboration, and implementing ESD in their classrooms.
- Passionate about sustainability and aligned with the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement.
- Willing to inspire others, bringing colleagues and students into the ESD journey.
No prior experience with the SDGs is required, but a commitment to learning and enthusiasm for sustainable development is essential.
How to Apply
To apply, please review the Advocate Terms of Reference for detailed requirements and complete the application by November 24. Before applying, you may also wish to explore the following resources:
- Advocate FAQ Document: Answers to common questions about the program.
- Training Syllabus: An overview of the training topics.
- Advocate Stories: Read case studies from educators who have completed the program.
- Watch the Info Session
