Fostering Active Global Citizens to Shape the Future of Education: AFS India joins the IC3 Movement 2025 Conference
AFS Intercultural Programs India was proud to participate in the 2025 Annual IC3 Conference & Expo, held on August 20th and 21st at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. As one of the most significant global gatherings for educators, universities, and students, the event brought together over 1,500 participants for a dynamic exchange of ideas and best practices.
AFS India’s Impact at IC3 Conference 2025
AFS India hosted a dedicated table throughout the conference, serving as a vibrant hub for educators, representatives, and students. Visitors were eager to learn more about intercultural education, global citizenship, and international exchange opportunities, with a special emphasis on the innovative Global Up programs. Diya Badgel, National Director of AFS India, along with Carolina Cortés from the Global Up team at AFS International and dedicated AFS volunteers and educators from partner schools, actively engaged in conversations, building valuable networks to advance our shared mission.
In addition to the booth, AFS India led a well-attended special session for schools, highlighting how intercultural learning programs and tools like Global Up Educator can empower teachers to embed essential global citizenship skills directly into their classrooms. The session sparked strong interest and initiated promising discussions about future collaborations.
A Shared Vision: Guided Learning Meets a Counseling-Based Approach
The synergy between the IC3 Movement’s philosophy and AFS’s educational approach was a central theme of our participation.
IC3’s focus on shifting education through robust and intentional counseling deeply aligns with AFS’s core principles of guided and experiential learning. While counseling transforms the educational paradigm by guiding students through a process of self-discovery to find their purpose, AFS’s programs guide participants to become Active Global Citizens by developing an internalized, ethical compass. This is achieved through structured experiential learning opportunities that encourage participants to step out of their comfort zones, reflect on their experiences, and build tangible skills.
Another way AFS resonates with the goal of IC3, is through programs like Global Up, where the trained AFS facilitators play the crucial role of guides —much like counselors— who support learners as they develop self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to bridge cultural differences. This shared emphasis on a holistic, whole-person approach ensures that students are prepared not just for a career, but for a meaningful life in a complex world.
Such a student-centered, skill-focused model is particularly relevant in India’s diverse and dynamic educational landscape. As schools and universities look beyond traditional career paths, the need for power skills like adaptability, critical thinking, and cross-cultural communication has become paramount. IC3 initiatives and AFS programs provide a powerful framework for developing these 21st-century competencies. By bringing together diverse groups of learners, these programs also foster an appreciation for diversity that is essential both within India and on the world stage.
This approach addresses a global imperative: in an era of increasing volatility and complexity, the world needs mindful, compassionate, and ethical individuals who can build relationships across cultures and contribute to a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future.
A Catalyst for Collaboration and Impact
The conference served as a powerful catalyst, translating a shared vision into tangible outcomes. AFS India significantly enhanced its visibility, reinforcing its position as a leading voice in global citizenship education at this high-profile event.
The team forged over 150 new connections with schools and universities from across India and abroad, creating a vibrant network of educators dedicated to preparing students for a globalized world. Most importantly, these interactions have blossomed into promising discussions about future collaborations, paving the way for new partnerships with schools eager to integrate international perspectives and powerful intercultural learning into their curricula.
Building a More Interconnected Future
The energy and insights from the IC3 Conference have laid a powerful foundation for future action. Building on this momentum, AFS India is moving forward with concrete initiatives designed to deepen its impact.
Plans are already underway to launch a special series of open Global Up Educator cohorts, offering a dedicated professional development platform in intercultural learning.
Furthermore, AFS India will explore a closer partnership with the IC3 Movement to contribute to future conferences worldwide, amplifying the message of global citizenship education on a global scale.
These efforts, combined with a continued commitment to strengthening partnerships with schools and universities across the nation, mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter. By working hand-in-hand with institutions and educators, AFS India is not just preparing young people for the future; it is empowering them to shape a more inclusive, empathetic, and interconnected world for all.
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Institutions and educators in India interested in continuing this dialogue are welcome to contact Ankita Pal ([email protected]) for a personalized conversation.