The AFS Global Intercultural Education Symposium was an amazing milestone in AFS history. On November 8, 2014, representatives of the AFS Global Community convened with luminaries in the world of peace and justice at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France to make a bold statement about the importance of global citizenship education and the role AFS has taken to advance this movement. The Symposium was held as part of the AFS Centennial Celebrations held in Paris in November. Over 1,000 people participated in the event.
The theme of the Symposium was inspired by Jacques Delors, former President of the European Commission and Chairperson of the UNESCO Commission on Education for the Twenty-first Century, and his challenge that we “learn to live together by developing an understanding of others.”
“The mission for the AFS Global Symposium and the momentum for AFS going forward is to drive the global citizenship education movement to reach and cultivate partners, advocates, influencers, thought leaders and potential global citizens—young and old—especially those living or working in areas of great turmoil,” explains Melissa Liles, Chief Education Officer of AFS Intercultural Programs.