Our Movement
The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) is a global movement of people and organisations advocating for the right to free, inclusive, quality public education for all.
Who we are
GCE brings together education coalitions, regional networks, NGOs, teacher unions, and youth and student groups from more than 100 countries to speak with one strong civil society voice on education.
Together, members link what happens in classrooms and communities to national, regional and global decisions that shape education.
Click HERE for GCE’s Constitution.
Our mission and vision
GCE’s mission is to defend and promote free, public, quality education as a basic human right and to build public pressure so governments keep their promises on education for all.
The vision is a world where every child, young person and adult can learn in inclusive, publicly funded schools and programmes that help build fair, peaceful and sustainable societies.
What we stand for
GCE stands for learning throughout life, equal chances for every learner, strong public education systems, and well-trained, respected and fairly paid teachers.
The movement stands with students, women’s rights, youth and social justice groups that are challenging discrimination, commercialisation of education and attacks on rights in and around education.
Our priorities 2023–2027
From 2023–2027, GCE focuses its global work on three main priorities: transforming education, protecting education in emergencies and crises, and securing fair and sustainable financing for education.
Across these priorities, members push for free, inclusive public education, learning that responds to the climate crisis, open civic space, and a major increase in public funding for education.
How our movement works
GCE members lead the strategy, campaigns and policy positions by working together, sharing experience and building common actions across countries and regions.
The Secretariat supports this by coordinating joint work, producing and sharing evidence, and helping civil society engage in key spaces such as global education goals reviews, UN processes, funding debates and responses to education in emergencies.
Together for the right to education
GCE over the years
1999
GCE Founding Year
Oxfam International, ActionAid, and the Global March Against Child Labour spearhead a groundbreaking transnational advocacy movement to establish education as a RIGHT and strengthen the voice of civil society.
2000
Dakar World Education Forum
The Dakar World Education Forum serves as a catalyst for GCE’s establishment and defines transnational advocacy for education.
2001
GCE's First World Assembly
Founded on a commitment to collective action, GCE sets up its principal governing bodies and adopts its constitution in New Delhi, India, paving the way for the growth of national education coalitions and regional networks.
2003
First Global Action Week for Education (GAWE)
GAWE stands as GCE’s flagship campaign, championing the vision of Education for All.
2009
1 Goal Campaign
GCE’s 1 Goal Campaign unites 18 million people across the world, inspiring over 200 influential figures – including Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Matt Damon, Shakira, Jessica Alba, and John Legend – to call on world leaders for greater education funding and to show that ordinary people can spark extraordinary change.
2015
Defining SDG 4 and the Education 2030 Agenda
By actively participating in national consultations and submitting recommendations to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, GCE helps define the vision and priorities of SDG 4 and the Education 2030 Agenda.
2016
Establishment of the Education and Academia Stakeholder Group (EASG)
Joining forces with the International Council for Adult Education (ICAE), Education International (EI), and the European Students’ Union (ESU), GCE helps establish the Education and Academia Stakeholder Group (EASG). Through this effort, education gains an official voice and space within the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).
2018
Youth Caucus
GCE convenes its first-ever Youth Caucus during its 6th World Assembly in Kathmandu, Nepal, and takes a landmark step to include youth representation on the GCE Board.
2022
GCE's 7th World Assembly
GCE holds its 7th World Assembly in South Africa and convenes over 200 delegates from over 130 countries.
2023
Launch of the UN Tax Convention Campaign
GCE launches its campaign on the UN Tax Convention and starts working with the broad tax justice movements in monitoring and engaging the deliberations of the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.
2024
GCE Turns 25!
GCE celebrates its 25th anniversary.