The Importance of Global Citizenship in the 21st Century
The 21st century is unlike any other before it. The present moment in time has been defined as the age of information, globalization and volatility. Compared to the 20th century, which saw the advent and proliferation of industrialisation, the 21st century is characterised by the rapid pace of technological advancement. As times change, the mechanical and repetitive skills valued in the previous century are no longer sufficient for tackling today’s more complex challenges, which arise as a result of a globalized world with a knowledge-based economy. Therefore, education must also change, shifting the focus from memorization and passive learning to critical thinking and problem solving, and instilling a sense of global identity in youths. Global citizenship education is an educational philosophy that goes beyond the confines of a classroom and accounts for the 21st century’s most pressing issues.
