On March 25–26, 2026, educators, experts, and NGO representatives from eight European countries gathered in Warsaw for the international seminar Global Citizenship Education in Practice: Ideas, Methods, and Experiences. Over two days of workshops, discussions, and exchanges, participants explored innovative approaches to Global Citizenship Education (GCE), shared practices from their national contexts, and strengthened collaboration across borders. After returning to their countries, participants were invited to reflect on their experience. Below are insights from educators and youth workers from the Czech Republic, Portugal, and Italy.
For Czech participants, the conference provided valuable inspiration for integrating global citizenship education in classroom practice. As Jakub Ambros explained, “The conference brought me a lot of inspiration and new perspectives on global education. I especially appreciated sharing experiences with people from different countries and education systems. I also gained concrete ideas for teaching and motivation to try new approaches.”
Gabriela Švédová emphasized the relevance of the seminar for understanding today’s global challenges: “Two days full of workshops and discussions confirmed that global education is key to understanding today’s challenges, from the climate crisis to international inequalities, migration, and gender issues. Meeting experts, teachers, and stakeholders from eight EU countries gave me inspiration as well as practical methods for lessons.”
Similarly, Ondřej Kyselý highlighted the importance of international exchange and collaboration: “What did the conference give me? More ideas for teaching and insights into how education works in other countries. I really value the contacts and people involved, the approach of the local organizers, the choice of workshops, and the overall organization. I really enjoyed it and am glad I could participate.”
Czech participants also appreciated the practical dimension of the workshops. Sessions such as ARPOK’s activity on children’ s books offered opportunities to explore migration through emotional reflection and global perspectives, providing educators with tools that can be directly adapted for classroom use.
“Events like this show us that our expertise is valued abroad as well. It’s always nice to meet like-minded people and discuss how to strengthen global education, not just in the Czech Republic.”
Lenka Pánková, Director of ARPOK
Portuguese educators also described the seminar as a key space for experimentation and exchange. The event created opportunities to test new approaches, reflect on teaching practices, and strengthen cooperation among partners working in non-formal and formal education. Media literacy activities led by the GET partners of 4Change and the critical thinking workshop facilitated by ESE-IPVC received particularly enthusiastic feedback from participants.
As the Portuguese team noted, the seminar strengthened connections among educators from different countries and reinforced shared goals for innovative educational approaches. Project coordinator Sandra Oliveira noted how the methodology used aligns closely with the values and objectives of the wider European partnership. Participants themselves captured the spirit of the event in simple but powerful terms, describing it as “an incredible experience” and full of “inspiring moments with fantastic people.”
For the Italian delegation, the Warsaw seminar represented an especially meaningful opportunity for professional growth, experimentation, and reflection within an international learning environment. Teachers and youth workers who had been actively involved in the project for several months were able to deepen their understanding of Global Citizenship Education through direct exchange with colleagues from across Europe and beyond.
Francesca Vittoria Pisu, teacher at a secondary school in Sardinia, reflected on the personal motivation behind participating:
“Two days away from my students, away from the daily school routine. I went to Warsaw for my students, to absorb as much as possible and bring back many ideas from this first international training experience to put into practice and use as inspiration for future teaching activities.”
Mauro Alerci, a Youth Worker from Enna, emphasized the importance of dialogue and peer learning: “For me, the seminar has been a wonderful opportunity for reflection, first of all on GCE topics, but also through exchange with other participants, from whom I learned a lot.”
Katia Napolitano, an upper secondary school teacher in Rome, reflected on the value of encountering different educational realities during a workshop by APA – A Partnership for Africa: “To my great surprise I discovered that the context in Ireland was much more multicultural than in Rome and and, above all, a level of awareness and integration that I found deeply impressive.”
Marianna Pinna, a colleague of Francesca Pisu from Sardinia, described the seminar as a moment of personal development: “Participating in the GET project international seminar has been a moment of great professional and human growth… I returned home with new tools, new ideas and above all the confirmation that educating for global citizenship means sowing possibilities, building connections and giving voice to young people so that they become an active part of change.”
Workshops also highlighted the importance of experiential learning approaches in Global Citizenship Education. Reflecting on the session Outdoor Education in GCE Practice, Licia Salvaggio from the partner organisation Associazione Luciano Lama noted:
“Through learning by doing, themes that often seem abstract or distant become accessible and engaging… every corner of our city can become a living lesson in global citizenship.”
The seminar also benefited from contributions beyond Europe, including reflections from Professor Benard O (Kisii University, Kenya), who addressed the importance of integrating Global South perspectives into European educational practice, further reinforcing the truly international dimension of the event.
Overall, the Warsaw meeting confirmed the value of collaborative learning spaces where educators can exchange tools, experiences, and perspectives. By combining practical workshops, international dialogue, and shared reflection on global challenges such as migration (link), inequalities, climate change, and gender equality, the seminar strengthened participants’ capacity to integrate Global Citizenship Education into everyday educational practice and to support students in becoming active, responsible citizens in an interconnected world.
