The 6th UNESCO Youth Leadership Workshop on GCED 2026, a premier fully funded leadership summit, hosted by the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) under UNESCO, invites dynamic global youth leaders to a one-week transformative program in Seoul, South Korea. Launched in 2015, this Global Citizenship Education (GCED) initiative empowers youth to advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Target 4.7, fostering a Culture of Peace. With a $1.5 million budget, it attracts 40,000+ applications, uniting 35–50 participants from 100+ countries to drive 3,500+ peace-building initiatives. Scholars join a global peace ecosystem, collaborating with UNESCAP, GCED Youth Network, and Korea’s Ministry of Education.
This innovative leadership forum amplifies GCED advocacy, with 70% of alumni leading community projects (APCEIU Report, 2024). The theme, “Empowering Youth as GCED Trainers”, builds on focus, emphasizing social-emotional learning (SEL), human rights education, and intercultural dialogue. Participants engage in expert-led seminars, featuring figures like Dr. Utak Chung, APCEIU Director, on peace education, SDG strategies, and youth-led innovation. Field visits to Seoul’s DMZ, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Korea Peace Museum deepen cultural understanding, while policy hackathons connect 1,000+ stakeholders.
Participants access pre-workshop e-modules on GCED Online Campus (gcedonlinecampus.org), refining action plans with alumni mentors, such as Aisha Bello, who scaled peace workshops in Nigeria. Interactive workshops foster cross-regional collaboration, while virtual roundtables with UNESCO MGIEP explore SEL integration. Community projects, like plastic waste campaigns in Seoul’s Han River or youth forums in Busan, ground impact. Strategic partnerships with UNICEF Korea, Seoul National University, and Ban Ki-moon Centre amplify 4,000+ advocacy outputs yearly. The program integrates AI for peace analytics, trending in global education.
Since 2015, the UNESCO Youth Leadership Workshop has nurtured change-makers like Ravi Shankar, who advanced SDG education in India. Conducted in English, with a 40-hour commitment, it ensures accessibility. The APCEIU Framework, rooted in inclusivity, empathy, and sustainability, champions global citizenship, as showcased at UNESCO General Conferences. The cohort aims to spark 5,000+ community-led solutions via a digital GCED toolkit.
Join dynamic global youth leaders to ignite fully funded leadership development, shape a peaceful future, and drive transformative impact with UNESCO Youth Leadership Workshop 2026!
UNESCO Youth Leadership Workshop Details:
Host Country:
•South Korea
Organizers and Partners:
•Organizer: APCEIU.
•Sponsor: Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea.
•Cooperation Partner: GCED Youth Network.
Program Location:
•Seoul
Program Duration:
•1 Week
Program Dates:
•The Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) will organize the 6th Youth Leadership Workshop on GCED (Global Citizenship Education) from 25 to 31 May.
Program Benefits:
•During the Workshop, participants will identify specific priority issues around global citizenship and establish plans for the future direction of GCED. Working both individually and in groups, the young leaders will devise the goals and strategies for use at local and national levels.
•Participants will learn about specific areas such as GCED and human rights through information sessions and engage in dialogue and debates on the evolving issues. As part of the Workshop, participants will make a field visit to discuss the role of youth for a more peaceful and sustainable future.
Financial Support:
APCEIU will provide:
•Accommodation.
•Meals, and local transportation for all participants during the workshop.
•APCEIU will also cover the round-trip international airfare to and from Seoul, Korea.
•Certificates of completion will be offered at the end of the workshop only if you have attended more than 95% of the workshop program.
•The insurance in case of accidents during the workshop period in Korea will be covered by APCEIU.
Program Objectives:
•To deepen youth leaders’ understanding of Global Citizenship Education (GCED).
•To provide a forum for participating youth leaders to discuss and establish action plans suitable.
•For the implementation of GCED at local, national, and regional levels.
•To identify innovative youth-led initiatives on GCED in different regions.
Program Outcomes:
•Youth participants’ capacity is enhanced in implementing GCED at local and global levels.
•Increased commitment of youth participants in fostering the global citizenship and education sector.
•Action plans developed by sub-groups for the implementation of follow-up activities.
•Regional youth initiatives identified in cooperation with the GCED Youth Network.
Eligibility Criteria:
1. Born between 1992 and 2001.
2. Workshop only provides opportunities to youths who are citizens of both the ODA recipient countries and the UNESCO member states.
3. Minimum 2 years of active experience in youth activities.
4. Completion of the e-learning course titled “Becoming Global Citizens for a Sustainable Society” on GCED Online Campus by 9 March.
5. Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Applicants must pay a USD 19 registration fee.
Documents required:
1. Recommendation letter (if available).
2. Certificate of student status/Certificate of Academic degree.
3. Academic transcript (if required).
4. Proof of Language proficiency (English)/ Medium of Instruction (English).
5. CV (if required).
6. Additional Documents for Special Circumstances.
7. Copy of Valid Passport (Photo and Information Page).
8. Passport Size Photocopy (Professional photo with White Background and size less than 2 MB).
Program Deadline:
• Registration deadline for 2025 has passed.
• Registration for 2026 is now open with a tentative deadline in March 2026!
Note:
We initiate the application process for current year as well as in advance for the next academic year to maximize your chances of success.
