Educators
What is Global Citizenship Education?
“In an increasingly interconnected world, global citizenship education (GCE) plays a crucial role in promoting solidarity and empowering people of all ages to make a meaningful impact in their communities, both locally and globally.” – UNESCO
At ACGC, we understand global citizenship education as an ongoing journey of learning, reflection, connection, and action. Building from UNESCO’s approach, we support people to better understand our interconnected world, engage with diverse perspectives, critically examine inequities, and recognize their role in creating more just, peaceful, equitable, and sustainable communities.
Our approach is relational and grounded in lived experience. We meet learners where they are, create space for dialogue and critical reflection, and connect local realities in Alberta to broader global issues. We also aim to centre the voices and knowledge of those most affected by inequity and strengthen anti-racist, feminist, and anti-colonial approaches to learning.
Upcoming Classroom Opportunities
In partnership with the Centre for Global Education, we host Global Encounter seach school year! Global Encounters are free interactive learning events for educators and students. Connect via Zoom or the Youtube Live Stream and join others from around Canada and the world to discuss the global topic of the day. For educators, view the linked Educator Guide for classroom activities related to each session.
November 16, 2026 | 10:00-11:00 (MDT)
Live from COP31: Elementary Climate Engagement (Ages 6-12)
Join students live from the United Nations’ largest climate conference (COP31) for an interactive exploration of climate change, sustainability, and global cooperation. This engaging session will feature games, activities, and hands-on experiences created and led by youth delegates attending the conference.
December 09, 2026 | 11:00-12:00 (MDT)
CGE Student Leadership Summit Reflection (Ages 13-18)
Join #Decarbonize, EducationNatureNexus, ACGC, and student representatives as they reflect on their time at COP17 and COP31 this fall. Participate in roundtable discussions as we explore the impact child voices have had on global biodiversity and climate policy decisions.
Upcoming Professional Development
November 17, 2026 | 10:00-11:00 (MDT)
Empowering Educators: Practical Climate & SDG Integration for the Classroom
Join us for an interactive hybrid workshop live from COP31 and presented in partnership with the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC). Designed to equip teachers with actionable tools, this session focuses on seamlessly embedding climate education and the UN Sustainable Development Goals into everyday learning.
Classroom Workshops
Request a classroom workshop from ACGC! We currently have three workshops available. Click the links below to check out the material and accompanying lesson plans for each of them:
- A Better World is InSight: 360 Experience (Intended for Grades 9-12 but can be adapted for younger students)
- Problem and Solutions Trees: Creating Change in your School or Community (Grades 4-12)
- Beyond a Single Story (Grades 7-12)
Contact projects@acgc.ca to learn more and book a time.
Classroom Resources
Unsettling Global Citizenship Education (2025)
These resources were developed from ACGC’s Summer Institute, a professional development retreat that explored topics around Global Citizenship Education and themes of international development, sustainability, gender equality, inclusiveness, and more.
With the support of Dr. Lisa Tink and ACGC staff, participants worked together to develop a knowledge translation document to engage educators and students in Alberta on important global issues. They also share five calls to action to keep in mind as you engage in GCE.
Find the resources in English and French below.
A Better World is InSight: 360 Experience (2023)
Experience powerful stories of global development and explore issues and challenges faced by communities across the globe through an immersive 360° learning experience, right in your classroom!
Following the successful deployment of the immersive A Better World is Insight 360 experience across the prairies, ACGC is now offering an opportunity for Alberta schools to continue to engage with the content in a new way.
Visit our InSight 360 page to explore a curated selection of immersive films from the United Nations and International aid community, and lesson guides for learning about the issues explored in the films. Learn more about the films available at www.insightproject.ca/stories.
If you are interested in requesting an in-person workshop where ACGC will guide students to explore these videos via immersive 3D-glasses, contact projects@acgc.ca or call 780-988-0200.
Problem and Solutions Trees: Creating Change in your School or Community (2022)
Featuring case studies on two changemakers, this resource models how to use ‘problem and solution trees’, a type of mind-map commonly used by international development organizations, to think through the root causes of a community issue, take appropriate action, and evaluate the impact. This activity is supports the development of core competencies as outlined in Alberta Education’s Guiding Framework.
Beyond a Single Story (2022)
This activity, designed for Grade 7-12 students, explores the ways that intersecting identities can affect a person’s reality and quality of life. By considering the diverse viewpoints within a community, students will gain an understanding of the complexities of analyzing a community’s challenges and strengths. Each Community Case Study provided in this activity was created in partnership and solidarity with an international cooperation organization and its international partners.
Alternatively, once you have read through the Workshop Outline, choose one of the individual Case Studies below.
UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Learn more about the UN SDGs and access classroom resources.
NOW FOR 2030: Exploring Quality of Life – Grade 3 (2021)
From February – June 2021, participating classes across Alberta wrote letters to the Grade 3 class of 2030 in their school, sharing their hopes and aspirations for the future. Then, they sent their letters to ACGC to be stored in our time capsule.
On 25 September 2030, ACGC will open and share the letters back to the school for the class of 2030 to read! While the time capsule is closed, your class can still learn and complete the activity.
COLOURING PAGES: Gender Equality (2021)
Download new colouring pages from Global Affairs Canada to help educate students about Canada’s role in addressing gender equality during Covid-19 around the world!
RESTORING SIGHT, TRANSFORMING LIVES (2019)
In this lesson, students will use dialogue to tell a story. Through using a story about healthcare in a fictional Kenyan setting, students will also gain an understanding of life in developing countries, and the work that Alberta organizations do to assist those in need. The lesson is illustrated by Alex Kwizera, in partnership with Operation Eyesight Universal, Calgary to accompany stories found in Together: Alberta’s Notebook for the Global Goals.
POINTED (2019)
In this lesson, students will read and analyze the poem “Pointed” by Edmonton-based poet and scientist, Nermeen Youssef. Students will extend their learning through creating their own piece exploring inequities they see or face in health care services locally and globally.
ACGC has developed the lessons to accompany stories found in Together: Alberta’s Notebook for the Global Goals.
DESIGN FOR HEALTH (2019)
In this challenge, students will design a product to help a non-profit organization communicate key health messages to children living in a rural, low-income setting in a developing country. Taking inspiration from Dr. Michiko Maruyama, students will explore the occupational clusters of Communications and Human Services while completing this CTF Challenge.
ACGC has developed the lessons to accompany stories found in Together: Alberta’s Notebook for the Global Goals.
TAPESTRIES FOR HOPE (2019)
In this art encounter, students will explore the impact of art on community well-being. By analysing and comparing Mattias Grünewald’s Isenheim Altarpiece, and the Keiskamma Altarpiece, students will gain an understanding of how art can uplift and empower communities in need. This lesson was created in partnership with Keiskamma Canada Foundation, Edmonoton to accompany stories found in Together: Alberta’s Notebook for the Global Goals.
DEVELOPMENT IN A BOX (2010)
Designed to be an educational kit to be used by educators, Development in a Box was created by ACGC in 2010 to aid in the incorporation of global issues into the curriculum and classroom in Alberta, linked to curriculum objectives in the Alberta Program of Studies. Originally sent physically to schools, the kit was re-published in 2011 and made available as a digital downloads.
While the materials are no longer updated or maintained by ACGC, the resource and lessons can serve as a building block and inspiration for educators to create new, meaningful dialogue in classrooms.
Development in a Box: Grades 1-6
To navigate through Development in a Box: Grades 1-6, we suggest starting at the Table of Contentsin the Resource Guide. The Table of Contents will assist you in discovering the thematic area, grade level, curriculum covered and the Material Book you will need to seek out. Detailed lesson descriptions, and curriculum objectives can be found in the Resource Guide.
You will uncover the individual lessons in the three Material Books.
- Download the Resource Guide
- Download Material Book 1
- Download Material Book 2
- Download Material Book 3
Development in a Box: Grades 7-12
To navigate through Development in a Box: Grades 7-12 we suggest starting at the Table of Contentsin the Resource Guide. The Table of Contents will assist you in discovering the thematic area, grade level, and curriculum covered. Detailed lesson descriptions, and curriculum objectives can also be found in the Resource Guide.
You will uncover the individual lessons referenced in the Resource Guide by exploring the following thematic areas:
