1. A document against racial discrimination was submitted by the Korea-led “Group of Friends for Solidarity and Inclusion with Global Citizenship Education” and unanimously adopted during the 210th session of the UNESCO Executive Board held on December 7, 2020. In particular, in the annex titled “Global Call against Racism,” phrases highlighting the significance of education through the Global Citizenship Education program in responding to hate and discrimination that has arisen in the COVID-19 situation were included at the initiative of Korea. The gist is as follows.

° As the COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a parallel pandemic of dangerous disinformation, hate speech and violence against certain ethnicities or nationalities, it is necessary to promote and step up inclusion and solidarity of mankind.

° The Member States of UNESCO call on the world to take action and join the efforts led by UNESCO in its fields of competence, including education, culture, and information and communications, to address the root causes of racism, and it is necessary to educate students on values, including inclusiveness, solidarity, gender equality, the culture of peace, non-violence and respect for others, particularly through the Global Citizenship Education program and practice them.

° The adoption of the document is seen to have served as an opportunity to reaffirm that Global Citizenship Education, which promotes solidarity and cooperation amid the COVID-19 situation, should be carried out as an important educational value; and to consolidate Korea’s leadership in preventing hate and discrimination for overcoming the pandemic crisis.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched at the initiative of Korea three Groups of Friends at the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNESCO in May 2020 with the purpose to promote solidarity and cooperation on response to COVID-19. Korea is contributing to reinforcing cooperation among the member states by leading key international issues regarding COVID-19 by engaging in diverse activities of the Groups of Friends.

3. The UNESCO “Group of Friends for Solidarity and Inclusion with Global Citizenship Education” has actively addressed the issues of hate and discrimination, including by adopting a Joint Statement on the prevention of hate and discrimination in responding to COVID-19 upon its launch on May 26 and holding three ambassadorial meetings; and will further enhance international solidarity in order to diffuse and disseminate the Korea-led Global Citizenship Education across the world.

° The Group of Friends hosted an online seminar to raise awareness on Global Citizenship Education on November 2 and will offer an opportunity to learn about each country’s best practices of Global Citizenship Education by holding an online workshop on December 14.