UNESCO presented its frameworks for competencies and learning objectives for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Global Citizenship Education (GCED) at the 4th meeting of the informal working groups of the “Future of Education and Skills: Education 2030” programme by OECD. It was held in Beijing from 9 to 10 November 2016.

The meeting brought together more than 100 policy makers, experts, school networks and social partners. It was held back to back with a special symposium with systems and global thought leaders. The events were hosted by the National Institute of Educational Sciences (NIES) in Beijing, China, in cooperation with Tsinghua University from 9 to 11 November 2016. Participants welcomed the OECD’s new conceptual learning framework “Learning Compass 2030” with which students should be able to navigate in time and social space and shape the future for their own and others’ well-being.

Policy makers supported some common design principles. Some of the conclusions were that even where education remains true to the disciplines, it needs to aim at interdisciplinary learning and the capacity of students to see problems through multiple lenses. In an uncertain and volatile world, learning should focus on what has the highest transfer value, and on knowledge of disciplines with deep understanding about the disciplines, according to the meeting outcomes.

To date, 19 countries are taking part in the policy analysis on curriculum, with an aim to facilitate peer-learning as well as to build a knowledge base and develop tools for countries to draw on when re-designing their curriculum. The project welcomes interested countries and stakeholders to contribute to the project.