Global Citizenship Education from an Intercultural Perspective

All over the world, societies are becoming increasingly multiethnic and multicultural. The presence of citizens with diverse backgrounds within the same nation-state necessitates a rethinking of the concept of citizenship, which in many countries is still rooted in the nationalistic theories of the 19th century. Acknowledging people's multiple identities and senses of belonging has become essential in shaping a new understanding of citizenship. In this context, the reflections of the Council of Europe and UNESCO—particularly their promotion of Global Citizenship Education (GCE)—are especially relevant. This article aims to stimulate reflection on GCE by integrating an intercultural approach. The research findings and practical programmes on citizenship education and intercultural competence developed by the Centre for Intercultural Studies at the University of Verona, Italy, offer further impetus for this reevaluation. Finally, the author advocates for the adoption of Intercultural Citizenship Education (ICE) as a means to transcend nationalistic, Western-centric and neoliberal frameworks and to foster global dialogue and scholarly exchange.