First-of-Its-Kind Course “Ages of Globalization” Launches at SDSN’s Pre-Summit of the Future Event to Inspire a New Era of Global Education
The new course takes learners and educators on a journey, blending world history, science, geography, and technology into an immersive educational adventure to prepare learners to meet the world’s sustainable development challenges.
New York, 20 September 2024 — Today marks the beta launch of the Ages of Globalization (AoG), a free, interactive, multidisciplinary course based on Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs's groundbreaking book. The course, launched today at the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)’s High-Level Pre-Summit of the Future Event, contributes to strengthening Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in schools around the world by enabling learners ages 14+ to gain a deeper understanding of the world’s sustainable development challenges and their interlinkages. The course enables students to explore possible sustainable development solutions, cultivate empathy and compassion for other people, and appreciate the world’s cultural and geographical diversity, as well as the deep interlinkages that bind us all together.
Featuring lecture videos by Professor Sachs, the course takes participants on a virtual journey to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from the Fertile Crescent and Nile River to the Acropolis and Forbidden City in Beijing, facilitating an understanding of world history and the appreciation of the world’s great cultural heritage. Interviews with leading experts from around the world also add historical and scientific insights on how geography, technology, and institutions have shaped the seven ages of globalization, while also discussing cutting-edge innovations and ethical precepts to shape our world today.
Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University and President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, remarked, “By helping students to appreciate world history, and the significance of the world’s great cultural heritage, we help them to shape solutions to the challenges facing their own generation. The Ages of Globalization aims to empower today’s youth to shape a future with wisdom, innovation, ethics, and a deep respect for our shared cultural heritage.”
Dynamic ESD lesson plans, interactive maps, and engaging activities allow learners to traverse the globe and to trace the story of humanity – its history, culture, economies, art, food, philosophies, and music – in order to understand humanity’s interconnectedness, and how to create solutions to today’s great global challenges.
The course also includes a live online component, UN at Your Doorstep, which features monthly virtual dialogues offering students an unprecedented opportunity to engage directly with world leaders including senior UN officials. These online dialogues will focus on the great challenges of our time – peace and security, climate change, the fight against poverty, economic inequalities, environmental sustainability, and artificial intelligence – and how young people can help to lead constructive change through a deeper knowledge of the past, a clearer awareness of the present, and a vivid, ethical vision of the future.
His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the UN Tourism Executive Council, added, “This initiative underscores the importance of cultural heritage in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable world. By bringing these sites to life, we can empower young minds to explore the diversity of our shared heritage and inspire them to become responsible and engaged global citizens. The Sustainable Tourism Global Center proudly supports this initiative and invites more partners to join us in this important endeavor.”
The Ages of Globalization contributes towards SDG 4.7 and UNESCO’s ESDfor2030 Roadmap. Ages of Globalization is co-hosted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, Mission 4.7, SDGsToday, and the Global Schools Program, and supported by UNESCO, Hearst Foundations, the SDG Academy, Globe from Home, and the Sustainable Tourism Global Center, incubated within the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia.
The beta roll-out, taking place from September 2024 until June 2025, will take 150 schools from diverse countries and contexts on a journey through the ages of globalization, paving the way for the alpha version release in September 2025. In September 2025, the course will be open for all interested participants. The beta roll-out will ensure valuable real-world testing and feedback, essential for refining the course to align with the diverse needs and contexts of educators and learners worldwide. The UN at Your Doorstep dialogues with world leaders will be open to everyone, extending the reach of this global educational initiative during its beta roll-out.
For more information please visit www.agesofglobalization.com and follow the initiative on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Alyson Marks, Head of Communications & External Relations, SDSN (English-speaking): Alyson.Marks@unsdsn.org
Katja Anger-Delimi, Education Consultant, Ages of Globalization, SDSN (English, French, and German speaking): katja.anger@unsdsn.org