Case Study
The SDG Challenge: Advancing Global Citizenship Education Through The Power Of Film
2021-25 (Ongoing Partnership)
Introduction
The Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU), under the auspices of UNESCO, was established in 2000 to advance Global Citizenship Education (GCED) through a wide range of initiatives, from teacher training and curriculum development to youth engagement and capacity-building for education officers and local government officials.
SIMA Studios complements this mission by providing world-class, globally sourced documentary storytelling that inspires learners to develop the knowledge, skills, and values needed to reimagine education and address the most pressing challenges of our time.
Over the years, many APCEIU alumni have voiced the need for stronger media and information literacy training, practical skills, and hands-on support to implement their own projects in classrooms and communities. To respond, APCEIU partnered with SIMA to elevate its transformative online courses and resources, expanding their reach and impact.
“In collaboration with SIMA Academy, APCEIU was able to open a new door to teach global citizenship. Numerous educators around the world have discovered an impactful method of teaching through documentary films.”
— Ms. Jihong LEE, former Head of Office of Education and Training, UNESCO-APCEIU
Initiative Goals
- Deliver engaging and dynamic virtual learning experiences that meet the demand for online education while countering remote learning fatigue.
- Provide educators and students with memorable learning opportunities and practical tools to drive meaningful impact in classrooms and communities.
- Strengthen and expand the organization’s transformational learning programs with world-class, innovative services.
- Democratize access to high-quality educational resources that advance 21st-century learning worldwide.
Key Contributions
- The SIMA SDG Challenge – Trains educators to use film as a transformative tool, empowering students to become media-literate global citizens and active changemakers.
- Innovative Online Courses – From Film as a Tool for Advocacy to Regenerative Leadership and the IDGs, SIMA's courses equip young leaders and educators with practical skills, frameworks, and inspiring global case studies to drive social and environmental change.
- Global Film Engagement – SIMA works with APCEIU to curate ongoing virtual film clubs on urgent global themes and UN holidays, connecting learners with filmmakers and experts worldwide.
- Access to World-Class Media – Provides the APCEIU community with unlimited access to SIMA Academy’s 280+ award-winning documentaries and VR/XR experiences, plus a branded playlist of APCEIU-selected films in multiple languages.
Participant Testimonials
“I believe my student's learned so much about how they are part of the world and what it means to be connected to everyone everywhere through their shared humanity.”
“My students greet me every class now with the question: Are we learning more about SDGs today?’
“Participants were able to advance their social emotional skills such as empathy, mindfulness, compassion and critical inquiry.”
“The classes were awesome and the lessons learned were enough to kickstart any kind of personal projects in the days ahead.”
“I feel so satisfied and useful to my community for engaging people to understand that film can also be used to make an impact.”
Impact
Snapshots
12,084+ Educators & Changemakers
Reached directly with innovative educational resources worldwide
9,116+ Audience Members
Engaged in 25+ global dialogues through SIMA-powered Virtual Film Club
7,710+ Educators & Changemakers
Impacted through the ripple effect of educator-led SDG projects
6,418+ Learners
Inspired by the Branded UNESCO–APCEIU Film Playlist
613 Educators
From 25 countries trained through the flagship online courses
2,110+ Students
Across 20 countries reached by 62 educator-led SDG projects
“It was great to see that our educators around the world have enjoyed their learning through creative documentary films dealing with critical global and local issues, ranging from poverty, justice, human rights to climate crisis, which are happening in our daily lives in diverse forms. The inspiring and powerful films introduced by SIMA Academy have reminded us of our roles and responsibilities as global citizens, calling for our actions in solidarity. It is our pleasure to have SIMA Academy as our partner to help our educators to expand their perspectives, to teach global citizenship using media, and to motivate them to take actions as global citizens.”
— Dr. Hyun Mook LIM, Director, UNESCO-APCEIU
