Last year, a groundbreaking initiative called AGISCI (“Cittadinanza Globale Attiva A Scuola” or “Active Global Citizenship at School”) transformed traditional classrooms into hubs for social change. Led by Intercultura (AFS Italy) and funded by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies, the project set out to answer the question: How do we prepare the next generation to handle a world that is more connected—and more complex—than ever before?
At the heart of AGISCI is the United Nations 2030 Agenda, specifically Goal 4: Quality Education. Championing human rights, gender equality, and a culture of peace, the project aimed to prove that things like cultural diversity and non-violence aren’t just “nice ideas”—they are essential tools for a sustainable future.
In late 2024, AGISCI provided 200 teachers with an intensive, 25-hour certification program. These teachers explored how the internationalization of schools connects with active global citizenship and civic education. By blending online workshops with in-person collaboration, they learned how to weave Active Global Citizenship Education and Civic Education into the fabric of the modern school system.
Following the teacher training, AGISCI led 2,700 high school students in early 2025 through hands-on, “non-formal” education workshops. Intercultura, alongside 12 other non-profit organizations, guided students as they engaged in active learning—debating, problem-solving, and exploring cultural diversity in ways that felt relevant to their own lives. These workshops didn’t just sit outside the curriculum; they were integrated directly into the schools’ civic education requirements.
To keep the momentum going, the project launched a dedicated digital platform. The AGISCI interactive platform serves as a collaborative “home base” where students and teachers can share ideas, resources, and success stories. You can view the project platform and review its outcomes at agisci.it.
By bridging the gap between local Italian schools and global ideals, AGISCI is proving that being a citizen of the world starts with the actions you take right in your own community.