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The Global Dimension to Education
in Devon
The Global Dimension to education has gone by a number of names and
terms over the years. Some of these terms are described below.
DDE provides advice and support to schools on a wide range
of global dimension and global citizenship work,
often
concerning International Schools Award or applying to DFID Global Schools
Partnership fund, through the British Council.
We have hosted three British Council meetings at the Global Centre during
2006/7 and three meetings on the International Schools Award. The
Global Centre
holds a wide range of the best global dimension resources, for teachers
and
students to browse and purchase.
The main global education terms that have
been used over the years include: Development
Education, Global
Citizenship and Education for Sustainable
Development,
all of which are promoted through Devon Development Education's resources, teacher
INSET and
our partners and providers who
offer workshops to primary and secondary schools in Devon, Plymouth
and Torbay.
Development Education involves
teaching and learning the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes
and values
that
enable young people to become increasingly aware of issues related to
development, environment and sustainability. The Development Education
Association (DEA) defines Development Education as lifelong learning
that:
- explores the links between people living in the "developed" countries
of the North with those of the "developing" South, enabling
people to understand the links between their own lives and those
of people throughout the world
- increases understanding of the economic, social, political and environmental
forces which shape our lives
- develops the skills, attitudes and
values which enable people to work together to take action to bring
about change and take control
of their
own lives
- works towards achieving a more just and a more sustainable world
in which power and resources are more equitably shared.
Global Citizenship, while similar to Development Education,
is a more recent development and has emerged in the wake of the citizenship
curriculum. Oxfam defines a Global Citizen
as someone who:
- is aware of the wider world and has a sense of their own role as
a world citizen
- respects and values diversity
- has an understanding of how the world works economically, politically,
socially, culturally, technologically and environmentally
- is outraged by social injustice
- participates in and contributes to the community at a range of levels
from local to global
- is willing to act to make the world a more sustainable place
- takes responsibility for their actions
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) enables
young people to develop the knowledge, values and skills to participate
in
decisions about the
way we do things individually and collectively, both locally and globally,
that will improve the quality of life now without damaging the planet
for the future. Sustainable Development is about:
- the interaction and interdependence of society, economy and environment
- the needs of both present and future generations
- the local and global; implications of lifestyle choices.
Education for Sustainable Development has identified seven key concepts:
- Interdependence
- Citizenship and Stewardship
- Needs and Rights of future generations
- Diversity - cultural, social, economic and biodiversity
- Quality of life - global equity and justice
- Sustainable change
- Uncertainty and precaution
For
further details details on the key concepts involved
in Education for Sustainable Development visit the QCA
ESD website.
Devon Development Education seeks
to promote Development Education, Global Citizenship and Education
for Sustainable
Development
by offering
opportunities for primary and secondary schools in Devon, Plymouth
and Torbay to incorporate
a global dimension
to the curriculum. DDE seeks to do this through offering projects, teaching resources and
teacher training/INSET (see below).
Global Education Network (Glen) for
Devon, Plymouth and Torbay
DDE co-ordinates the Global Education Network (Glen) for Devon, Plymouth and
Torbay. This is the 5th year of this EES (Enabling Effective Support for the
global dimension of education in schools) DFID-funded work. We have been working
with other Glens in the SW region to apply for another 5 year grant from DFID
(Department for International Development).
During 2006/7, the major work was planning and running the highly successful
Global Citizenship Conference in May. 110 people applied to attend, despite
having to pay for a place (£30 a head). Professor David Hicks
from Bath Spa University gave the key note address, pointing out the
importance of Futures Education.
INSET sessions
Twilight for Teachers
Free sessions are often offered to teachers and others
interested in the global dimension in education. Check the events
page of the Global Centre website for details.
Global Citizenship INSET
Gill
Westcott and Jane Murray, Education and Outreach Workers for Devon Development
Education are able to offer free twilight
sessions in your school. These sessions explore Global Citizenship,
linking it to both the whole school ethos and the curriculum,
and will introduce a range of materials and practical ideas including
active learning exercises for citizenship topics, photocopyable games
and resources, quizzes etc.
Bookings can be made Mondays
to Thursdays 3.30-5.30 p.m.
This is a free service to schools from UNICEF.
This provides an opportunity to:
- Learn some innovative ways to integrate global citizenship
into the curriculum through story, PSHE, Art and Humanities.
- Become
familiar with resources linked to Fair Trade, Refugees and focus
packs on specific countries.
- Examine how the UN Convention on the Rights
of the Child can be used as a starting point and basis for introducing
global citizenship.
- Review some of our wide range of resources, and
try out some practical activities. These resources can be purchased
and some loaned to members
of DDE.
To request a free INSET session, contact
DDE or phone 01392 438811. Alternatively, print off the request
sheet [pdf] and send it to the Global Centre.
Gill Westcott, based in North Devon, teaches global citizenship in schools,
conflict resolution to various age groups, and health topics in adult
education.
Jane Murray is a Geography secondary specialist, advises Plymouth’s
schools (primary and secondary) on their links with Ghana, and teaches
global citizenship in schools.
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