Warm greetings from APCEIU to all esteemed participants of the 2nd GCC International Conference,

I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU)Established in 2000 through the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Korea and UNESCO, APCEIU is dedicated to promoting Global Citizenship Education (GCED) among UNESCO member states.

Over the past two decades, APCEIU has collaborated with a diverse range of stakeholders to advance Global Citizenship Education across the Asia-Pacific region. In 2021, in particular, APCEIU launched the GCED Cooperation Centre (GCC) initiative. This initiative aims to strengthen the GCED capacities of teacher education institutions (TEIs) and establish a platform and cooperation mechanisms tailored to the unique contexts and needs of partner countries.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been a key partner in this initiative, playing a pivotal role in promoting GCED since they hosted the GCED Cooperation Centre, known as GCCUSM in 2021. The efforts and dedication of the GCC-USM have now culminated in their hosting of the 2nd GCC International Conference. We are immensely inspired by GCCUSM's accomplishments and their contributions to promoting GCED.

In 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlighted the importance of GCED through SDG 4.7. This goal underscores the necessity of education for sustainable development and global citizenship, aiming to ensure that learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. The new UNESCO Recommendation in 2023 further reflects this inclusive concept, recognising Global Citizenship Education as one of the most essential education initiatives of our contemporary era. Now, GCED is crucial more than ever, and it is imperative that we continue to promote and expand GCED initiatives worldwide.

I hope the 2nd GCC International Conference will serve as a dynamic platform where all those interested in GCED can come together to share their knowledge and insights on GCED at this critical moment. Furthermore, Penang, the beautiful host city of the conference, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site itself and is known for its cultural diversity, which I believe will offer a unique perspective on GCED.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to USM and GCC-USM for organising this significant conference. Special thanks go to Associate Prof. Dr. Rahimi Che Aman, the Dean of Educational Studies, USM and to Dr. Rohizani Yaakub (Honorary Associate Professor), the Director of GCC-USM, and her team for their unwavering commitment and leadership.

Thank you, and I wish you all a fruitful conference.

Dr. Hyun Mook Lim
Director,
Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU)