
Much of the teaching and practice surrounding Global Citizenship Education and sustainability tends to focus on "downstream" approaches—mitigating negative impacts without questioning the systems or mental models that create these issues. These mental models are often rooted in Neoliberal Economics, which has contributed significantly to the crises in our local and global communities.
Given that many of our global crises have economic foundations, it is essential that some level of economic literacy, beyond just financial literacy, is integrated into Global Citizenship Education. The first step is to foster Critical Economic Literacy (CEL) among teachers.
CEL aims to provide teachers with a deeper understanding of how pervasive economic theories and policies operate, equipping them with analytical tools to critique Neoliberal Economics, which inevitably manifests across all subject fields and grade levels. Gaining CEL, teachers can create learning experiences that encourage students to think critically about the economics at play in their environments and the local, national, and global interdependence and impacts of these economic systems.


Because I didn't know…I wasn't thinking about those deeper things related to Global Citizenship Education. How would I then facilitate that understanding in my students? Now, I can speak on a personal level—not just at a curriculum level to students—and I can model the principles of Global Citizenship Education while also acknowledging the impacts of Neoliberal Economics. I can say, 'this is what I'm doing in my life'.

We are trying to be part of the solution in the context of Global Citizenship Education, yet we often find ourselves part of the problem. The CEL course helps us examine what we know, why we know it, and how we perceive the world through the lens of Neoliberal Economics.

I am really appreciative of this course on Global Citizenship Education; it is very clever! It provides a critical lens on concepts, including the implications of Neoliberal Economics. From an academic perspective, it's fantastic—a good mix of information and inspiration. Phenomenal.

I think it's a new model of being an educator—one that not only involves teaching students to think critically but also inspires them to act. This approach aligns with Global Citizenship Education, emphasizing that action is a necessary part and a continuation of education, especially in a world influenced by Neoliberal Economics.

There are a lot of natural connections in any subject area, especially when discussing themes like Global Citizenship Education and Neoliberal Economics. In any way when teaching these topics, the (CEL) thinking routines are very helpful.

It was insightful, eye-opening and things we have never thought about...the platform was easy to use. Really beautifully set up. The project made it real and will fit nicely with my newbies as they set up shop!

I have come to appreciate the power of CEL, as it has not only reshaped my worldview but also empowered me to take meaningful action in my life. Through Global Citizenship Education, I learned that personal choices can ripple outward, creating a positive impact on the local economy, the environment, and even my own sense of well-being, all while navigating the complexities of neoliberal economics.

This course is for anyone with a touch of curiosity about how we got to where we are in the world today. Combining elements of critical economics and geopolitics was a nourishing experience for me both as an educator and a learner. My teaching has plenty of space for including understanding of this area and adds another lens from which to view topics that arise in the IB course. A highly recommended course.

For any teacher seeking to understand the economic forces shaping our world, this course is an outstanding starting point. The course introduces the key concepts and also provides a methodology for critically analysing political discourse around the most prevalent economic ideas of our times...
the most thought-provoking and enjoyable profession learning I have done in the last 5 years.
1/6
Ho, Anderson, Cheng, Ford-Coron, Pilgueva & Wakefield (2025)
