Traditional schooling seems ill equipped to handle the political and social challenges that have recently arisen worldwide. Acquiring the capacity to be a politically, socially, culturally, and economically active member of society is a fundamental component of any citizenship education and will be influenced by the dynamic nature of societal change. This article describes the potential of (global) citizenship education, focusing on its positive effects in complex urban settings. It starts with a more general approach and then highlights the specificities associated with Brazil's and Rio de Janeiro's educational system.