International SEL

At a time when the world is increasingly more interconnected and complex, the need for social and emotional learning (SEL) has never been clearer.

Large group of people gathered for a formal picture at a conference in front of a blue curtain.
Luncheon for international attendees at the Exchange

While educational systems differ across countries, research consistently shows that social, emotional, and academic development are deeply connected and essential for success in school, work, relationships, and civic life.

How SEL Supports Students Across the Globe

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Regardless of where children live, they need to develop and sustain a sense of purpose, build healthy relationships, work collaboratively, manage emotions, and resolve conflicts.

Today’s students are global citizens. SEL helps them navigate cultural differences, communicate with cultural sensitivity, and respect other viewpoints.

Academic achievement supports lifelong success, and SEL promotes the engagement, skills, and mindsets of lifelong learners.

Educators, in turn, have much to benefit from global collaboration around SEL. By working together across borders, educators can share effective practices, adapt innovations across contexts, learn from and teach their students about diverse cultural approaches to human development, and build a stronger global evidence base for SEL.

International SEL is not about exporting one country’s model to another. Rather, it is about bringing together educators, researchers, policymakers, and communities from around the world to learn from one another and ensure that every young person develops the skills, relationships, and sense of purpose needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Our Work: International SEL

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    • International SEL Fellows Academy

      This two-year program convenes leaders from around the world to foster a supportive community dedicated to learning, growth, and collaboration.
      Forging a Global Community: CASEL’s Inaugural International SEL Fellows Academy, by Samuel Oladio

      The Exchange: CASEL’s conference hosting SEL experts from around the world, including:

      • The Inaugural Exchange (2019) included a plenary entitled “SEL: The Global Movement,” featuring Nancy Guerra, Ed.D.; Anantha Duraiappah, Ph.D.; Koji Miyamoto; Louka Parry, M.A., in which described the ways educators in countries such as Japan, Uganda, and New Zealand have worked to bring SEL to their students.
      • Leaders as Learners: Building the Village our Children Need (2023) welcomed presenters and participants from 36 countries, with international sessions including “SEL in Schools for Marginalized Adolescents of Rural India.”
      • ACCELERATE: Academic Thriving and Lifelong Learning (2024) included education leaders from 47 U.S. states and 30 countries, with sessions showcasing students in Colombia,  Dr. Yaqing Mao of China, Maria Giuliani of Argentina, and educators from Mexico, among others.

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