Global Up is a research-based interactive program that equips learners with tangible global competence skills through versions developed for different age-groups (adults and teens) and audiences (HEI, workplaces, schools, and more). At the end of the program, learners earn the AFS Global Competence Certificate.
AFS Effect+ Program is a hands-on learning program that introduces students to the UN SDGs and how to work together to help advance these goals in their communities. The current AFS Effect+ versions include workshops for teens led by AFS facilitators and a fully free Classroom Edition of the Program for high-school teachers with training and resources.
Now teens don’t have to travel to become exchange students. Teens can experience intercultural learning, meet peers around the world, and become Global Citizens from home! AFS Global You are high-impact, educational, fun, and truly global virtual programs based on decades of expertise in the field, these programs build personal and professional changemaker mindset and skills.
As a global education organization with 100+ years of experience, we envision a world in which people from all backgrounds embrace differences and believe that we are stronger because of them, a world where individuals and institutions are empowered to actively work towards advancing global understanding, and take action for collective well-being and sustainable development.
AFS educational programs and initiatives offer a transformative learning journey: through our educational programs and initiatives, we put learners at the center of their learning journeys, guiding and supporting them along the way. Learners reflect on how they impact the world around them and learn how to build bridges among cultures and work together to create positive change. They are then encouraged to experiment and put into practice based on insights gained—and continue the cycle of learning.
These principles guide the AFS Student Learning Journey in which student participants work toward the AFS Educational Goals in a progressive, developmentally designed manner to become interculturally competent, responsible global citizens and agents of positive social change.
AFS believes that intercultural challenges and learning moments are inevitable parts of our everyday lives, our classrooms and public spaces. To prepare students to engage effectively across cultural and other differences, we take our young participants on a transformative learning journey. Through our programs and other offerings, we help participants:
Specifically, Goal #4 focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to promote “sustainable development” and “sustainable lifestyles,” human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
—Irina Bokova, Director General, UNESCO
As of 2015, AFS is proud to have entered into a “consultative status” partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This status enables both organizations to collaborate on initiatives of mutual interest and social good.
AFS works closely and creatively with schools, universities, humanitarian and peace groups, governments and other NGOs on the issues that reflect our mission.
