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.