Main concepts

Environmental education for sustainability intends to promote environmental values, and changes in attitude and behaviour towards the environment, to prepare young people to exercise conscious, dynamic, informed, and active citizenship in the face of current environmental issues.

Intercultural education intends to promote the recognition and appreciation for diversity as an opportunity and as a learning source for all, respecting multiculturality as well as developing the ability to communicate and encourage social interaction, understanding different identities, and fostering a sense of belonging.

Education for security, defence and peace intends to reflect, understand and apply the fundamental principles for a good coexistence in democratic societies, which are indispensable for a responsible participation by citizens, favouring their security and the security of others, in a culture of peace.

Education for gender equality intends to promote equal opportunities and educate for the values of pluralism and gender equality. There is an urgent need to develop an effort for the elimination of gender discrimination and, consequently, relationships marked by inequalities and violence.

Education for development intends to raise awareness and promote the understanding of the causes of development problems and inequalities locally and worldwide, especially in a growing globalisation context, with the purpose of promoting the rights and duties of every person to participate and contribute to sustainable development.

Education for human rights intends to promote and develop civic awareness in human rights.

Definitions adopted by the Directorate-General for Education in the presentation of the curriculum unit's thematic contents "Education for Citizenship - Citizenship and Development".

Youth interest in global issues

The interest and participation of Portuguese youth in global issues, particularly global development and social justice, have been monitored through various studies and reports. The Global Shapers Impact Report 2025 is a significant study that highlights the transformative power of youth leadership in addressing global challenges. This report includes insights from nearly 4,000 youth leaders from over 140 countries, tackling issues like climate change, unemployment, and inequality (World Economic Forum, Global Shapers Impact Report 2025).

A recent survey by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, conducted between 2019 and 2021, explored youth political participation in Portugal. It found that young people are increasingly engaging in unconventional participation avenues, such as social and political activism through online platforms (Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Study on youth political engagement in Portugal).

In the latest Eurobarometer survey on Youth and Democracy (2024), 49% of young people in the EU, including Portugal, reported being active in their societies and participating in youth organisations. This marks a significant increase from previous years (European Commission, Youth and Democracy in the European Year of Youth).

Regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the 2030 Agenda, Statistics Portugal continues to monitor the implementation process. The 2024 Sustainable Development Report indicates that Portugal ranks 16^th out of 166 countries in achieving the SDGs, with a score of 80.22 (Sustainable Development Report 2024, SDG Index).

Portuguese youth believes that the main causes for poverty in Portugal are social inequalities and the economic debt burden. They assign the responsibility to act against poverty, inequality, and injustice to international institutions rather than national governments (Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Study on youth political engagement in Portugal).

Civic participation among Portuguese youth remains low, with reduced membership in civil society organizations. However, there is a noticeable increase in participation through online platforms and social media, compensating for traditional political disengagement (Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Study on youth political engagement in Portugal).

In summary, while traditional forms of civic participation among Portuguese youth are low, there is a growing trend of engagement through digital platforms and social activism. The involvement of young people in global issues continues to evolve, reflecting their adaptability and commitment to addressing contemporary challenges.