Global Classroom

Global Classroom extends the World Affairs Council’s message of global understanding to K-12 classrooms by empowering educators, students, and community members with tools, knowledge, and perspectives to engage in global studies, cultivate 21st century skills, and foster meaningful connections, locally and globally.

Educating for Global Competence

The World Affairs Council’s Global Classroom program helps students and educators across the greater Seattle region make sense of a rapidly changing world. In 2025, global competence is more important than ever. From climate change and technological disruption to migration, conflict, and shifting economies, today’s challenges demand that young people develop the skills, knowledge, and empathy to navigate complexity and contribute to solutions.

To be globally competent is to understand and respect diverse perspectives, think critically about global issues, communicate across cultures, and take informed, responsible action. These skills prepare students not only to thrive in their own communities but also to participate meaningfully in our interconnected world.

Global Classroom’s programs are guided by leading frameworks in global and international education, which emphasize that preparing youth for the future requires more than content knowledge—it requires cultivating curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and a sense of shared responsibility for building a just and equitable world.

Defining Global and International Education

Global and international education are complementary approaches that prepare students to thrive in an interconnected world. As outlined by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), this work integrates global perspectives across disciplines—such as social studies, sustainability, and world languages—to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for responsible participation in democratic societies and the global community. Together, these frameworks affirm that global competence is not an “extra,” but a core part of education, equipping young people to think critically, respect diverse perspectives, and contribute to a more just and sustainable future.

Professional Development

Global Classroom offers accessible professional development opportunities that center global education, cultural competence, and community building. We welcome K–12, community college, and university educators to join programs designed to provide timely insights on global issues and practical strategies for the classroom. Each workshop aligns with the Washington State K–12 Social Studies Learning Standards and the College, Career, & Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies, using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a foundation to connect local learning to global challenges. Each program fosters continuous learning and collaboration, connecting educators across schools and districts to build stronger professional communities and spark meaningful dialogue. By equipping educators with these skills and perspectives, our programs create a ripple effect—reaching multiple classrooms across Washington State and beyond to positively influence students’ learning and global understanding.

Student Enrichment