PH NatCom Secretary General Lila Ramos Shahani shared her valuable insights on the current breakthroughs and challenges of Global Citizenship Education (GCED) during the Forum on Teacher Exchange Towards GCED held last 25 August 2017 at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan in Pasig City. The event was organized by the Department of Education to celebrate the success of its partnership project, Asia-Pacific Teacher Exchange (APTE) for Global Education, with the Republic of Korea through the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU). This project specifically aims to meet the Target 4.7 of Education For All (EFA) 2030 Agenda.

Secretary General Shahani highlighted the need to mainstream multiculturalism in primary and secondary education curricula. She also posed inquiries about the efforts and gaps in the current Filipino educational system in terms of promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity of indigenous and international cultures. Furthermore, she commended the current efforts on GCED by local and international communities such as the APTE, emphasizing the integral role of governments in shaping civic consciousness. She said that, participating in an exchange program “is not just about going abroad, but preparing oneself to have the consciousness of being a global citizen.”

The forum was attended by approximately 200 participants with representatives from Korea-Philippines Teacher Exchange Program (KPTEP), Filipino teaachers, APCEIU, ASEAN +3 embassies, government stakeholders, DepEd, SEAMO, ASEAN Secretariat, and members from the PH NatCom.