Research article

Universal values as a barrier to the effectiveness of global citizenship education: A multimodal critical discourse analysis

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Abstract

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) approach to global citizenship education (GCE) includes a set of values termed 'universal values'. These social ideals include peace, justice and sustainability, and are normatively considered a common good. A multimodal critical discourse analysis of universal values within key UNESCO texts reveals that rather than moving societies towards genuine mutual human well-being, a central theme of GCE, universal values are counterproductive to the achievement of GCE. To enable GCE to achieve its aims, UNESCO needs to incorporate a diverse concept of values that allows for motivations and actions towards global citizenship more relevant to local contexts.

Keywords: GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION, MULTIMODAL CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS, UNIVERSAL VALUES, UNESCO, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, WORLD VALUES SURVEY

How to Cite:

(2019) “Universal values as a barrier to the effectiveness of global citizenship education: A multimodal critical discourse analysis”, International Journal of Development Education and Global Learning 11(1), 87–102. doi: https://doi.org/10.18546/IJDEGL.11.1.06