For centuries, education has been seen as an antidote to intolerance and conflict. In a world rocked by violence, much of it across cultural borders, developing students' cultural understanding has become more important than ever. In this article, Asia Society vice president Anthony Jackson discusses how two high schools in the Society's International Studies Schools Network are meeting this challenge by developing students' global competence, defined as the ability to investigate the world, recognize and weigh perspectives, communicate ideas, and take action.