Academic projects on SDGs and intercultural competence development in higher education

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Globalization and increasing cultural interconnectedness have highlighted the importance of fostering intercultural collaboration and global citizenship in higher education. This article explores how academic projects oriented to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) facilitate the development of intercultural competencies and a greater understanding of global citizenship among students. A quantitative approach is used with a sample of 100 students in São Paulo who participated in collaborative projects related to the SDGs. The research, supported by Kolb’s experiential learning theory and Deardorff’s intercultural competence approach, highlights how participation in these projects enriches students’ perception of global citizenship and fosters practical intercultural skills. The results show a positive assessment of participation and engagement in these projects, with an overall perception of increased intercultural competence and global awareness. However, areas for improvement are also identified, such as variability in the level of student involvement. This study contributes to filling a gap in research on the specific impact of SDG-oriented projects on the development of global citizenship.