Is intergroup contact alone enough to cultivate inclusive attitudes toward immigrants? Global citizenship education as a complementary tool

• Published in: International journal of educational development Vol. 104; p. 102941
• Main Author: Choi, Soobin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Attitudes toward immigrants; Global citizenship education; Intergroup contact; PISA; Attitudes toward immigrants; PISA; Global citizenship education; Intergroup contact
• ISSN: 0738-0593
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102941

The surge in international migrants offers students contact with immigrants. However, this does not necessarily cultivate inclusive attitudes toward immigrants (IATI), often due to a lack of relevant learning experiences. This research examines the interaction between intergroup contact and global citizenship education (GCE) in shaping IATI. Utilizing PISA 2018 across 61 countries with two-level and country-fixed effects models, it reveals that intergroup contact alone has a limited impact on IATI. A positive relationship emerges when combined with three GCE activities. This study advances our knowledge of intergroup contact theory and highlights the complementary role of GCE in fostering global citizens. •Intergroup contact at school alone may not significantly predict students’ inclusive attitudes toward immigrants (IATI).•Intergroup contact can be a positive experience for students to cultivate IATI when paired with global citizenship education (GCE).•Such positive interaction emerges with exposure to three distinct types of GCE.•It contributes to highlighting GCE as a complementary tool to bring about a positive effect of intergroup contact on IATI.