Why Earthrise:Live
A moment of connection, for a divided world.
Children are growing up in an increasingly complex and divided world, shaped by nationalism, misinformation and fear of 'the unknown'. Earthrise:Live offers moments of smiles, hellos, joy, connection, and hope - helping children to understand that another child from elsewhere in the world is as similar as they are different.
Why this matters now
Too many children grow up seeing children from other countries as distant, different, or even something to fear. Nationalism, misinformation and fear of 'the unknown' fill the gap where a real connection could be. Earthrise:Live offers something simple in return: moments of smiles, hellos, joy, connection and hope.
When a class in one country meets a class in another, children discover that a child elsewhere in the world is as similar as they are different. That single experience, seeing each other as children first, is what Earthrise:Live exists to create.
What we hope it leaves behind
The deeper aim is long-term. Children who build positive memories of connecting with children from other countries carry those memories into adulthood. One safe, joyful hello today can help bridge divides for a whole generation tomorrow. Earthrise:Live's contribution is one specific thing: helping one classroom meet another.
What a connection looks like
Earthrise:Live is teacher-led and deliberately simple. Two classes, somewhere in the world, take a moment to meet each other - live where time zones allow, or by sharing messages where they do not.
- Say hello. A greeting, a wave, a word in each other's language.
- Share a story. Something about an ordinary day where they live.
- Ask a question. Friendly curiosity, both ways.
- See each other as children first. Same hopes, same laughter.
- Leave a positive memory. One a child can carry for life.
- Stay safe throughout. Teacher-led, with safeguarding guidance.
Schools use whatever video tool they already approve, or connect asynchronously when time zones get in the way.
When is Earthrise:Live?
One headline day: Thursday 19 November 2026.
We chose a single day so classrooms in every country can take part together, despite different school weeks, rest days and time zones. Schools that genuinely cannot make the 19th can still take part on a nearby day.
Earthrise:Live 2026
The global schools event you join
One headline day
Thursday 19 November 2026
Why this date
So classrooms in all countries can join together
Can't make the day?
A wider window is available when you register
When is Earthrise:Live, and what is it?
Earthrise:Live is a safe, teacher-led moment of connection and togetherness: classrooms across the world saying hello, sharing stories, asking questions and seeing each other as children first. It takes place on one headline day, Thursday 19 November 2026, chosen because school weeks, rest days and time zones vary around the world, so this single date helps the most classrooms in the most countries take part together.
Activities
Ways to spark connection in the classroom.
Pair any of these with your Earthrise:Live exchange, or use them standalone if your class isn't matched this year.
If children ran the world…
Pupils write or draw three things they would change. Compare with the partner class.
What we have in common
List the things your class loves - food, games, music. Swap lists with the partner class and circle every match.
Child voice wall
Each pupil writes one sentence: 'If you could tell a child on the other side of the world one thing, what would it be?' Share with your partner class.
Letter to a future you
Pupils write a letter to themselves in five years' time. Share themes (not names) with the partner class.