Global Citizenship Education

Supporting schools and young people as they navigate their way through our interconnected and ever-changing world.

What is Global Citizenship Education?

Global Citizenship Education (GCE) enables us to explore key issues such as equality, climate justice, racism and human rights, through creative, innovative and interactive approaches. It gives us the opportunity to examine the impact of these issues globally and locally, including how our own lives are affected. It also supports us in considering how our values, choices and actions can contribute to or mitigate an issue and in exploring what action we can take to create positive change.

A Whole-School Approach to Global Citizenship Education (GCE)

At Children in Crossfire, we believe that education is not just about academic achievement – it’s about nurturing compassionate, informed, and active global citizens. 

As the climate crisis, inequality, poverty, forced migration, war, conflict, and polarisation of political ideologies grow, the need for strong and practical GCE in our children’s education systems has never been greater. 

Guided by our Compassion Compass, our whole-school approach to Global Citizenship Education empowers students and staff to engage with the world through empathy, critical thinking, and meaningful action. 

Why It Matters

In today’s interconnected world, young people need more than knowledge—they need the skills and values to navigate the complexity of the world with compassion. Our approach helps students:

  • Understand injustice and inequality
  • Foster common humanity and empathy
  • Imagine and enact fairer, sustainable ways of living
  • Build emotional resilience and hope for the future

What is the Compassion Compass?

The Compassion Compass is a dynamic framework that helps us explore and practise compassion in all directions – towards ourselves, others, and the wider world.

It integrates emotional, cognitive, and behavioural learning across four key domains:

(Hover over each point on compass for descriptions)

WEST: Hand (Towards Others & The World)

Students learn to advocate for justice, participate in informed actions, and collaborate in solidarity with others both locally and globally.

SOUTH: Heart (Relating to Others)

Through a model of respectful engagement and active listening, students are nurtured in the areas of openness, empathy, and an ability to discuss controversial issues in order to build self-other connections.

NORTH: Head (Understanding)

We encourage exploration of diverse perspectives and root causes of global issues, fostering critical thinking and curiosity.

EAST: Hand (Towards Oneself)

Emotional literacy is central. Learners build resilience, recognize their emotional needs, and develop tools for self-care and well-being.

Compassionate School Award

The Children in Crossfire Compassionate School Award celebrates schools that embed compassion, empathy, and global citizenship throughout all aspects of school life.

Rooted in the Educating the Heart Global Citizenship Education (GCE) programme, the award encourages a Whole School Approach that nurtures critical thinking, emotional literacy, and active citizenship.

Schools progress through Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels by meeting criteria across five key areas of school life:

1. School Leadership & Policies

Commitment to GCE at leadership and governance levels.

2. Curriculum & Teaching

Integration of global justice, sustainability, and compassion themes into teaching.

3. Pupil/Student Involvement

Opportunities for students to develop empathy, advocacy, and take meaningful action.

4. Extra-Curricular Activities

School-wide initiatives and events promoting global awareness and compassionate action.

5. Parent/Guardian & Community Engagement

Partnerships and projects that extend compassion and sustainability beyond the classroom. 

A Whole School Approach is vital in creating an inclusive and respectful culture, it helps to promote systemic and sustainable change, it brings the curriculum into the here and now for our young people and can help build a sense of purpose and hope for the future. 

Our Compassionate School Award can support and acknowledge our schools and communities’ efforts in this journey. 

Together, we’re cultivating a culture where compassion leads the way—locally and globally!

Start Your Journey

How will Children in Crossfire support a whole school approach to GCE?

Children in Crossfire will offer:

  • An information session on Educating the Heart for governors and school leadership teams.
  • A two-day Educating the Heart training workshop for up to three members of staff with provision for fully funded substitute cover.
  • A training programme which is complementary to the Northern Ireland Curriculum.
  • A range of active-learning methods to support engagement and deepen learning.
  • Strategies which help to provide safe spaces to address controversial and sensitive issues.
  • Access to a dedicated website space providing active-learning resources and methodologies.
  • Online webinars to explore GCE issues and primary and post-primary curriculum links.
  • Ongoing advice and mentoring from the GCE team at Children in Crossfire.

Ready to take the next steps?

Or looking for more information? Complete the below form and someone from the GCE Team will be in touch.

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