November 16, 2020 – Committed to revitalize teacher education, the Department of Education – International Cooperation Office (ICO) and the Korea-Philippines Teacher Exchange Programme (KPTEP) Alumni Association conducted the 4th Annual Forum on Teacher Exchange Towards Global Citizenship Education (GCED) on October 30, 2020.

The event showcased the re-entry application projects of the top three best REAP Implementers chosen from the nominees of the regions who are all part of the KPTEP – Project AETA of Chandler Ibabao from Alem Elementary School in Apayao, PIGEON of Noemi Baysa from Malabon National High School in Malabon City, and Project PLAC of George Borromeo from Schools Division Office of Manila.

With the theme “GCED in Action: Innovation and Solidarity in Responding to Global Disruption,” panel discussion on sustainable development goals, innovation, and solidarity was also held, led by Dr. Shabhaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific; Hon. Bernard Dy, City Mayor of Cauyan City; Dr. Bert Tuga, President of the Philippine Normal University; and Dr. Dorothy Tarol, Awardee of 2019 Metrobank Outstanding Filipino.

The online forum was attended by officials from the Department of Education, representatives from the Korean Ministry of Education, officials from UNESCO, delegates of KPTEP from 2012-2019, relevant stakeholders, and GCED advocates.

The forum featured messages from Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO; Lim Hyun Mook, Director, Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU); Jesus Lorenzo Ruiz Mateo, DepEd Undersecretary for Planning, Human Resource and Organizational Development, and Field Operations; and Margarita Consolacion Ballesteros, Director of DepEd-ICO.

Mr. Danilo Osorio, President of KPTEP Alumni Association, also presented the accomplishments of the organization which include the report on the re-entry application projects of KPTEP alumni from 2012-2019; the participation of teachers in global activities and education forum; and the KPTEP activities for the professional development of fellow educators and outreach programs for communities.

GCED is one of the strategic areas of UNESCO’s Education Sector program for the period 2014-2021.  It is guided by the Education 2030 Agenda and Framework for Action, notably Target 4.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 on Education), which calls on countries to “ensure that all learners are provided with the knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.”

 

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