Leave No One Behind in Global Education: Reflecting on Principles and Practices across Europe

GENE and BeGlobal are inviting organisations across Europe to contribute to a research initiative on “Leaving No One Behind” in Global Education by sharing examples of their principles and practices.

Why this research?

This research emerges from a key principle shared across key policy frameworks. The principle that no one should be left behind is at the heart of Agenda 2023 and the SDGs. In Global Education, this principle is reaffirmed in the European Declaration on Global Education to 2050 and in national policies such as the Belgium Strategic note on GCE. These documents emphasise the need to strengthen equity and justice by ensuring access and meaningful engagement in Global Education for underrepresented groups, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised.

These commitments reflect a shared recognition that Global Education provision is concentrated within certain social groups and that there is a need to reach organisations from other social milieus, marginalised populations, diaspora communities, and voices from the Global South. This research examines intentional practices designed to address these inequalities in access, participation, and engagement within Global Education.

What do we mean by Leave No One Behind in Global Education?

Leave No One Behind (LNOB) is about promoting equitable access and meaningful engagement of underrepresented groups in Global Education to build greater equality in Global Education while at the same time fostering spaces that question and counteract the systemic forces that lead to rising inequalities in our societies.

LNOB involves identifying and reaching out to underrepresented groups in global education, and opening up spaces for these groups to engage meaningfully, to contribute their own perspectives, and to shape the agenda of Global Education.

But at the same time, it is a critical lens that requires us to question who is not being reached, why, and what structural forces might be keeping them out.  It looks at what change is needed to address them and what practices can counteract these forces. It also asks us to reflect critically on our own practices and assumptions as educators and organisations.

While LNOB in Global Education is grounded in broad principles of justice and equality, it calls for reaching out to groups with different characteristics and patterns of limited engagement. This means: 

  • Reaching out to all under-represented groups. This includes all those groups who, for various reasons, such as social or professional background, age, or family situation, have had limited engagement with Global Education.

  • Reaching out to people and groups with different or opposing views who may not share the values of Global Education

  • Reaching out and engaging groups facing intersecting forms of exclusion linked to gender, disability, language, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

  • Engaging organisations from social milieus that are less represented but mobilised around similar issues.

  • Expanding to geographical contexts that are often overlooked, such as rural or working-class areas.

Diversifying to educational settings beyond the traditional school system, including early childhood, vocational and technical education and informal education.

Belgian case study

This is the second phase of our research on Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) in Global Education. The first phase focused on a Belgian case study, carried out in collaboration with BeGlobal, where we explored the practices of Belgian organisations. The draft report of the Belgian case study is now under consultation.

How can you get involved?

You can contribute to the research by completing our survey, which takes about 30 minutes.

Your contributions will help document inclusive practices aligned with LNOB that build equity and justice in GE by ensuring access and meaningful engagement for all, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised. They can provide valuable insights for a deeper understanding of LNOB in Global Education and contribute to improved policymaking and practice.

Thank you for your collaboration!

Need to get in touch?

Write to: LNOBresearch@gene.eu