We are pleased to introduce the GCE Learning Academy, the Global Campaign for Education’s new flagship learning and political education programme for our membership.
The Academy has been created as a structured platform for political education, critical learning, and knowledge exchange within the global education movement. It is designed to deepen our collective understanding of how power, global governance, financing, and ideology shape education systems – and to strengthen our capacity to organise and advocate for equitable, rights-based, and transformative education.
What is the GCE Learning Academy?
The GCE Learning Academy brings together civil society advocates, youth and student organisers, researchers, and coalition members in a formalised learning space that:
- Deepens understanding of GCE’s values, principles, and political positions as a social movement.
- Strengthens members’ skills in education governance, policy analysis, education financing, and multilateral engagement.
- Builds intergenerational leadership and cohesion across our network, supporting sustained movement-building.
The Academy is fully integrated into the GCE Learning Hub, which will host course information, registrations, recordings, readings, and learning resources. Over time, the Academy aims to evolve into a professionalised, potentially accredited learning pathway developed in partnership with universities and research institutions.
The 2026 programme is being delivered in collaboration with The Alternatives Project (TAP) and a network of academic experts and movement scholars. Courses and seminars scheduled for this cohort include, among others:
- Education for All in Africa: A Distant Dream
- Foreign Aid and Education in Africa
- Economics and Education
- Social Movements and Education – Global Perspectives
- Student Movements in Neoliberal Education
- Fostering Black Solidarities in a Time of Global Anti-Blackness
- Neoliberal Influence of the Global North in International Education and Development
- Three Decades of Neoliberal Policies and How They Changed Our Worlds
Each thematic stream consists of online seminars (1.5-2 hours) hosted on Zoom, with small groups of participants to support interactive discussion, peer learning, and critical reflection. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in GCE’s official languages – Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish – to ensure inclusive participation.
Who can participate?
The GCE Learning Academy is primarily for GCE members, including:
- National education coalitions and member organisations
- Regional networks
- Youth and student groups
- Civil society partners and campaign coordinators
To enable deeper engagement, participants are invited to select a maximum of three thematic tracks. Places in each seminar are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to sign up
To register for the GCE Learning Academy and choose your preferred course offerings, please complete the online registration form:
Sign-up link: HERE
Once registration is confirmed, you will receive directly:
- Seminar schedules
- Zoom links and calendar invites
- Pre-reading materials and follow-up resources
All seminar recordings and resources will be available to all GCE members via the GCE Learning Hub once sessions conclude.
Next steps
We encourage all GCE coalitions, youth and student groups, and member organisations to:
- Share this communication widely within your national and regional networks.
- Nominate participants who are actively engaged in education advocacy and movement-building.
- Complete the registration form as soon as possible to secure places in your preferred courses.
You are welcome to use the enclosed Concept Note, which provides a comprehensive overview of the programme, objectives, and course outline, and adapt this information for your own internal communications and websites.
For any questions about the Academy or support with registration, please contact Phumza Luthago at [email protected].
We look forward to learning, organising, and building stronger collective power with you through the GCE Learning Academy.
