Exploration of Global Citizenship Education Practice Within NGO-provided Non-Formal Education in the Conflict-Affected Context of Kazakhstan

This article presents and discusses the role of global citizenship education (GCE) as a set of value-based principles and drivers for non-governmental organisation (NGO) educational programmes within the conflict-affected context of Kazakhstan, a country facing various outcomes of political, economic and social changes. These programmes aim to address the social needs of local communities and tackle the systemic challenges faced by NGOs in their efforts to combat social injustice and promote peace. The study presented here focused on a Kazakhstani NGO that has developed and practised GCE using a holistic approach for over 15 years. A thorough understanding of the role of GCE in providing specific forms of education and overcoming persistent challenges was obtained through semi-structured interviews conducted with the NGO’s leaders, independent experts and focus groups of teachers. The findings portray GCE practice within an NGO setting, discussing GCE vision, ethos, community connections, curriculum, value-based pedagogy, and teacher development and support. The article also discusses the challenges the NGO faces, including recognition of its work within the educational sector and its political position within a conflict-affected context.