GEA is an international network of individuals and organizations in more than 90 countries. The organization was founded in 1973 by Gerald and Patricia Mische. Since then GEA has conducted more than 2,600 workshops, institutes and symposia around the world. GEA has released over 400 publications (monographs, periodicals, articles and books) which have been acclaimed world wide as among the best materials available on global interdependence and world-order issues.
A Chronological History of Global Education Associates
1973
GEA founded by Gerald and Patricia Mische in East Orange, NJ.
1973-1982
Annual Summer Institutes on "Educating for Justice, Peace, and Human Values" (Seton Hall, Georgetown, and other universities and educational centers)
1974
GEA Schools Program launched, offering global education programs and workshops for teachers, schools, and community groups
1974-78
GEA offers courses, symposia, and workshops for many universities and groups in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa
1975
GEA conducts workshops on "Education in an Interdependent World" in New Delhi, Bombay and Bangalore
1977-79
Toward A Human World Order by Jerry and Pat Mische is published by Paulist Press in 1977 and is produced into a 17-part series by CBS
Courses, institutes, and seminars on Toward a Human World Order held at universities and organizations in the U.S., Canada, India, Japan, Kenya, Uganda, and other countries
1977-83
GEA publishes The Whole Earth Papers, a series of monographs on; Peace, Hunger, Housing, Voices of India, Women, Christian Voices, The Child, Earthscape, Aging, Securing the Human, Celebration, Spirituality, Land, Terrorism, Early War Crimes of World War III
1978
Ministry of Concern for Public Health is founded as a GEA affiliate, in Buffalo, NY. Director; Rosalie Bertell
1978-79
Seminar for 28 Asian scholars lays foundation for GEA associate teams in the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Indonesia
Completion of Japanese translation of Toward a Human World Order
Philippine Council for Peace and Global Education, GEA affiliate, founded; Lourdes Quisumbing is elected first president
1979
Associates Program launched, creating channels for individual and group participation in GEA's growing network
1979-81
Associates' Institutes held annually at Stony Point (NY) Conference Center
Numerous workshops, seminars, and presentations held in U.S., Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America
1980
GEA co-sponsors founding of new affiliate, Genesis Farm, with the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell, NJ.
1981
Toward a Human World Order filmstrip/study series produced with Franciscan Communications.
1982
GEA Upper Midwest opens; Delmarie Gibney, regional coordinator
Series of Summer institutes held, including "Human World Order" (MN), "Economics and World Order" (NJ), "Alternative Security" (NY).
1982-85
The Misches serve as Visiting Scholars at the College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN and conduct intensive series of workshops and institutes throughout the US Midwest
1983-90
Breakthrough, GEA's expanded magazine/newsletter, published. Topics include; Oceans; Cooperation in Space; Bioregions and World Order; Security; Asia and the Pacific; Women; Religions, Ecology and Economics; Educating for a Global Future; Leadership; Economics; Human Rights; Ecological Security; Nature and Culture .
1984
10th annual Associates' Institute held in St. Paul, MN.
GEA affiliate, Ministry of Concern for Public Health is moved to Toronto and expanded around the world, becomes The International Institute of Concern for Public Health
1986-89
Annual GEA Institutes continue at National College and other sites
1986
GEA offices move to 475 Riverside Drive in New York City.
Asian associates meet in Manila to explore Asian perspectives on world order
1988-92
Pat Mische proposes a citizens' treaty for ecological security at an international conference on human rights in Moscow
Earth Covenant - A Citizen's Treaty for Common Ecological Security drafted after international process; translated into 20 languages and signed by 2 million people in next few years.
Earth Covenant used widely in 1990 international Earth Day celebrations; signed by 7000 people, including President Aquino, at launching in the Philippines.
Earth Covenant presented at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992
1990
The Misches serve as expert consultants at Lisbon meeting of former heads of state on "Global Interdependence and National Sovereignty: In Search for a New Global Order."
1992-2000
GEA's 150 Religious Order Partners hold annual meetings at which they develop and coordinate a Platform for Action focused on a global spirituality, kinship with nature, the wisdom of all cultures, and solidarity with poor people
1993
20th Anniversary Celebration
GEA presents its Religion and World Order Program at UNESCO conference on "The Contribution by Religions to the Culture of Peace" in Barcelona
GEA sponsors international Symposium on World Order in New York
1993-95
Youth Council sponsors series of conferences on UN's future in New York, Washington, Amsterdam, Bretton Woods, and San Francisco
1994
GEA sponsors Institute on "The United Nations in an Interdependent World" at Fordham University, with 200 participants from 36 countries and 5 UN agencies
Michaela Farm in Oldenburg, Indiana becomes GEA affiliate
1995
Employment Symposium held at Fordham University on "Globalization, Technology and the Future of Employment.”
Education Council presents panels for conference on "Education and Globalization" sponsored by Comparative and International Education Society (CIES). Youth Council coordinates "YOUTH'95: Alliance for Global Progressive Change" in San Francisco
Death of GEA co-founder, Jerry Mische
1996
GEA conducts three symposia on Employment, Religion, and World Order at UN Habitat Conference in Istanbul
Pat Mische addresses UN/DPI Conference on "Strengthening the United Nations"
1996-99
GEA works in partnership with the Earth Council and other organizations to launch worldwide consultation process for an Earth Charter to complement the UN Charter
1997
Religion and World Order Symposium, held at Maryknoll, NY with 50 scholars from different religious traditions
GEA Global Issues Series launched with publication of Ecological Security and the United Nations System: Past, Present, and Future by Pat Mische
New Foundations leadership training course launched in partnership with Genesis Farm
Feasibility study conducted for pilots partnership projects between GEA-Religious Orders and UNICEF in Kenya and South Africa
1998
GEA's 25th Anniversary Celebration
1998-99
Site visits made of GEA - Religious Orders - Unicef Project in Kisumu, Kenya, Acting Director and two Associate Directors salaried, Water Project and Women's seminars begun
"Education for Global Citizenship" workshops launched; over 90 workshops held in 1999
1998-2000
GEA serves on Design Team for the United Religions Initiative (URI) and on Facilitation Team for 1999 Global Summit
1998
Publication of Ecological Security and the United Nations System: Past, Present, Future, by Patricia Mische
1999
First of three "Global Moment" Conferences held
2000
Assessment and ‘next steps’ with African Women's projects in Kenya
Leadership through Multicultural Conflict Resolution training workshops
2001
Publication of Toward a Global Civilization? The Contribution of Religions, edited by Patricia Mische and Melissa Merkling
Indigenous Womens' Pathways Project launched
Millionth Circle Program launched, with GEA serving as Secretariat
2002
Global Citizenship Education Leadership training programs expand
2003
Grant from Rockefeller Foundation to develop Global Citizenship Guidebook
2004
Engaged Cosmology Conference planned for September 24-26, jointly sponsored with Sophia Center
2007
GEA becomes the home of the International Institute on Peace Education, Community-based Institutes on Peace Education, and the Global Campaign for Peace Education