Today marks the conclusion of the Global Education Week, main awareness raising event part of iLEGEND III, a joint programme co-finded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the North-South Centre of the COuncil of Europe, which saw a week of engagement across more than 35 countries in Europe and Beyond. Thousands of activities were organised to celebrate Global Education and to promote it as a tool to turn Hope into action.

On this final day, Montenegro’s national coordinators of the Global Education Network organised the online conference “True global education projects that inspire hope”, in which the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe was participating. The event brought together educators, youth workers, school leaders, students and national coordinators from Estonia, Montenegro, Romania and Türkiye, creating a shared space to reflect on how education can foster hope in challenging times. Milena Roganović, senior adviser at the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro, underlined the essence of global education. “Strengthening education as a beacon of transformation is essential. Education must help learners understand the world, reflect on their role in it, and believe that they can contribute to change.”

She explained that the event was born out of a desire to encourage collective thinking and joint action. “This conference is not only an exchange of experiences; it is about connecting with enthusiastic colleagues, youth and students who share concerns and hopes. When we work together across borders, we amplify the impact of global education.” To Milena Roganović, the contributors from each participating country brought not just projects, but real dedication. As she reflected on the daily work of educators, she shared: “What continually inspires me is the passion of committed educators. Even when resources are limited or challenges seem overwhelming, they create spaces of creativity, optimism and learning. Working alongside such people is a privilege.”

Throughout the conference, participants presented initiatives ranging from eco-schools to peace education, digital literacy, intercultural dialogue, and youth-led actions. These examples demonstrated how global education can be woven into school life and community projects in a way that brings tangible change. Drawing from past Global Education Week experiences, Milena Roganović highlighted the long-standing benefits such activities bring. “Participants consistently report strengthened cooperation, positive school atmospheres, and increased student interest in global themes. Students become more aware of diversity, more willing to solve conflicts peacefully, and more motivated to act in their communities.” She illustrated the impact with an example from a school that took part in last year’s edition. “Teachers observed improved conflict-resolution skills, higher awareness about violence, and greater motivation among students to change their behaviour. These are not small outcomes; these are seeds of long-term change.”

Looking at the broader context, Milena Roganović emphasised the significance of the Global Education Week as a unifying global moment. “Global Education Week gives us a precious moment each year to raise our voices for peace and justice. It brings together practitioners who share values of solidarity and human dignity, helping us feel that we are part of a wider community striving for progress.”

The conference, rich in exchanges and collective reflection, reaffirmed the value of Global Education Week as a catalyst for dialogue, cooperation and meaningful engagement, empowering communities to actively shape a more peaceful, fair and sustainable world.

For more information about this year's edition, visit the Global Education Week webpage. 

Global Education helps learners to develop individual and collective responses to social, ecological, political, economic, and ethical issues of common concern. It mobilises commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in particular SDG 4.7: Education for sustainable development and global citizenship.

The Global Education Week is a world-wide campaign implemented by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe and the Global Education Network in the framework of the iLEGEND III, a joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe: co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe. It aims to raise awareness on Global Education as a tool for solidarity and change and contribute for a more sustainable, peaceful and equitable world.

The activities organised in the framework of Global Education Week are the sole responsibility of the implementing partners and entities and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Council of Europe.