Education for Peace & Planet: Learning From Histories to Futures

During UNGA80 week, I was honored to attend “Education for Peace & Planet: From Histories to Futures”, a gathering that explored how history and education can guide us toward a more sustainable and united future.

Understanding the Age of Globalization

One of the most impactful moments came from Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University, who introduced the framework of the Age of Globalization. He explained how history can be divided into stages — from the Paleolithic era to our current globalized age — and how each stage offers lessons about interconnectedness. His reminder that “education is the most important investment for the development of civilization” was a powerful call to see learning not just as knowledge transfer, but as a foundation for peace and cooperation.

Learning From Local and Indigenous Voices

The panels also highlighted the importance of listening to local and indigenous voices. History cannot be told only through national narratives; it must also be seen through the eyes of diverse cultures and communities. Speakers emphasized that when we broaden our perspective, we create space for empathy and a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.

Transnational Approaches to Education

Another important message was that education should move beyond borders. Examples such as international sign language and global responses to natural disasters remind us that crises and solutions are not limited by nationality. True resilience requires transnational collaboration, where culture, language, and shared challenges are woven into the way we teach and learn.

Building a Collective Future

The session closed with a call to action: to create a better future, the world must come together collectively. As polarization increases, it is easy for countries and communities to retreat into isolation. But the truth is that our burdens — from climate change to inequality — are shared. Education must foster unity, diversity, and empathy, enabling us to build interconnected systems that sustain not just one nation, but the global community.

Reflection

This event reminded me that education is not simply about classrooms or textbooks. It is about cultivating the wisdom to learn from one another, to embrace diversity, and to shape systems that make the world more just and sustainable. At Visioning Ambition, we hold this vision close: ensuring that young people grow with the understanding that their stories, their cultures, and their ideas are part of a much larger global tapestry.