2026 AFS Global Citizenship Education (GCED) Connect Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

The program is open to individuals aged 18 and above who work as Formal Education Teachers, School Leaders/Administrators, or Non-Formal Educators and Advocates.

Participants who successfully fulfill all three phases of the program will earn the AFS Global Competence Certificate and a certificate of participation in the GCED Impact Forum.

The GCC is an award-winning, research-based virtual educational solution that equips youth, educators, professionals, and community leaders with essential global skills — critical thinking, open-mindedness, emotional agility, and intercultural communication. 

The Global Up curriculum focuses on four key areas: increasing self-awareness, recognizing the perspectives of others, managing emotional responses in unfamiliar contexts, and learning to bridge across differences. The certification can represent your expertise in cross-cultural communication, inclusive pedagogy, and intercultural education.

No prior GCED experience is necessary, though applicants should demonstrate an action-oriented mindset and a commitment to integrating global perspectives into their educational contexts.

The AFS GCED Connect is a 3-phase blended learning journey designed specifically for educators, school administrators, and education advocates (aged 18+) to complete the Global Up Educators certification and translate global competence and the AFS Educational Framework into classroom practice and policy. In contrast, the Regional AFS Youth Assembly (RYA) is a 3-day regional leadership conference designed for young leaders and changemakers (aged 16–35) focusing on youth-led SDG project incubation, masterclasses, and cross-border action tracks. 

Yes. A participant can participate in both initiatives as long as they are able to manage the workload of each program.

Yes. We offer discounts for participants affiliated with AFS Partner Schools with active Memoranda of Agreement (MOA).

If you are interested in establishing a partnership between your school and AFS Philippines, you may contact our team at [email protected].

Yes. Kindly coordinate with the AFS GCED Connect Secretariat at [email protected] for requests for letter of endorsements. Kindly specify your school head’s name in your inquiry.

No. Participants are required to commit to all parts of the program: the asynchronous online modules, virtual Facilitated Dialogue Session (FDS),  and GCED Impact Forum to maximize their GCED Connect experience.

The applicant may only receive access to the Global Up LMS platform once the AFS Philippines team verifies their payment for the registration fee.

Yes. Participants must complete the online modules and the GCED Blueprint before attending the virtual GCED Impact Forum.

Yes. The GCED Connect registration fee is priced at USD 80 for non-AFS Partner Schools (Early Bird Discount: USD 70; only until October 9, 2026) and USD 60 for AFS Partner School (Early Bird Discount: USD 50; only until October 9, 2026). You may check if you are associated with an AFS Partner School here.

Registration fee refunds are available within 48 hours of payment confirmation for a 100% full refund, or within 72 hours for a 50% refund, after which no refunds will be issued.

The applicant may use their school ID, certificate of employment, or an official endorsement letter signed by your school head/principal. 

The registration fee includes access to the Global Competence Certificate (GCC) program (self-paced modules, facilitated dialogue sessions, and certification).

After submitting your pre-application form, you will receive a registration email containing a dedicated Google Form link specifically for uploading payment confirmation.

After submitting your pre-application form, you will receive an email containing your statement of account (SOA) and a dedicated Google Form link specifically for uploading your proof of payment.