1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, together with the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) under the auspices of UNESCO, will co-host the “5^th International Conference on Global Citizenship Education” virtually from November 3 to 5.

o The Conference to be held under the theme “Fostering Solidarity and Hope through GCED” will bring together around 800 education policy experts, activists, teachers, and students from home and abroad, including Vice Minister of Education Park Baeg beom, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini, and Chief Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Education of Kenya Zack Kinuthia. The participants will explore the role of GCED in responding to the pandemic era and exchange views on ways to promote international solidarity.

2. In his opening remarks on November 3, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Taeho stressed that although the whole world is experiencing an unprecedented crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an inclusive, safe and resilient society can be created by learning and practicing such universal values as love for humanity, tolerance, and respect for diversity through GCED.

o In addition, Vice Minister Lee said that the Republic of Korea will continue to strengthen its efforts to spread the values and importance of GCED and take the lead in promoting solidarity with the international community so that no one is left behind in the access to Global Citizenship Education.

3. Meanwhile, at the concluding roundtable to be held on November 5, participants will discuss “Next Normal” in the post-COVID-19 era and the way forward. The Ambassador of Serbia to UNESCO will attend the roundtable as a panelist on behalf of the UNESCO “Group of Friends for Solidarity and Inclusion with Global Citizenship Education” launched at the initiative of the ROK on May 26.

4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hopes that the Conference will help enhance international solidarity centered on GCED by facilitating discussions on the pandemic situation from the perspective of GCED and presenting alternative visions for education in the current global crisis.