Bridging between us and them: Cultivating inclusive attitudes toward immigrants through global citizenship education and intergroup contact in South Korea

In response to the growing number of immigrants in South Korea, there has been an increasing emphasis on fostering inclusive attitudes toward immigrants (IATI) among students. Drawing on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the South Korean government and educational leaders have adopted and implemented Global Citizenship Education (GCE) as a strategic approach to address this issue. This study investigates the interplay between GCE, IATI, and intergroup contact by providing empirical evidence on these relationships. Utilizing data from the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and applying school-fixed effects, the study finds a positive association between GCE and IATI. Furthermore, this relationship is stronger in the presence of intergroup contact within school settings, suggesting that GCE mitigates the negative association between school-based intergroup contact and IATI. However, no significant interaction is observed between GCE, IATI, and intergroup contact in community contexts. These findings suggest that school leaders should ensure that students have access to GCE opportunities not only to cultivate inclusive attitudes but also to perceive intergroup contact as a constructive experience in shaping such attitudes. This study provides both theoretical and practical implications for promoting positive intercultural attitudes, contributing to creating inclusive environments for immigrant students and supporting the development of all students as global citizens. Although the study focuses on South Korea, its findings hold broader relevance for educational leaders and policymakers in other countries experiencing rising immigration, aligning with global efforts to advance intercultural understanding. Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.