Global Education Week takes place every year in the third week of November. From 13th to 19th November 2023, the North South Centre of the Council of Europe and the Global Education Network will celebrate Global Education‘s ability to address the complexity of the world and respond to its interconnectedness. This unique international event offers infinite possibilities of participation, and aims at developing learning communities for an active global citizenship. Global Education Week has been celebrated for more than 20 years with countries across Europe taking part. This is a time for NGOs, schools and teachers to come together and celebrate the power of global education.
What’s happening in the UK?
The UK’s Global Learning Network has decided to span its celebration of this week across November and into December. To keep up to date on every planned event follow the network on Twitter (@TGLNonline). Some of the events planned are:
4th of December - Leeds DEC, Climate Curriculum CPD Training:
- This CPD provides teachers with the tools and approaches needed to integrate climate change meaningfully into both the taught and hidden curriculum. This one hour webinar gives (1) teachers the opportunity to share the opportunities and challenges in their schools, (2) an overview of the course and (3) access to the online platform. You will be then able to complete the course in a self directed, self paced way (which will take 4-6 hours).
6th of December - Liverpool World Centre, Re-thinking Recycling: The Journey to Zero Waste:
- This free CPD gives teachers access to at least one fantastic resource from the world of participatory and inclusive global learning. Explore the active learning concept the ‘Diamond 9’ in the context of zero waste using RISC's brilliant 'How do we know it's working? - Book 1' and the different ways it can be used to enhance participation in the classroom.
What is Global Education?
Global learning plays a vital role in sustainability, social justice, and building a better future. In fact, it is a key element of the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Education, Target 4.7: to ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
The best thing about global learning is that it's not just restricted to Citizenship or PSHE lessons; the resources on Global Dimension can be used across all subjects, from maths to art to PE. Any educator, no matter what they teach, can inspire and empower their students to develop their global understanding.
Global learning supports the long-term development and success of pupils, by enhancing their critical thinking skills and boosting their relationships with peers.
Incorporating a global element into teaching across the curriculum can help schools to:
- develop a richer, more interesting curriculum
- use real-world contexts to enthuse, inspire and engage pupils
- support raising standards
- deliver SMSC and respond positively to the current focus on British values
Through educating young people about their relationships to others and the planet, global learning teaches them to understand and respect difference, identify their rights and responsibilities, and think critically about their impacts as global citizens, providing the skills, values, and motivations to build a more compassionate and sustainable world. As social and environmental issues escalate, nurturing compassionate values stands out as a simple key to unlock a positive future for all.
The resources available on Global Dimension allow pupils to:
- make connections between local and global issues and communities
- develop the skills to combat injustice, prejudice and discrimination
- critically examine their own values and attitudes
Why Global Education?
The need for global education has never been greater. The challenges of today's world are increasingly diverse and require critical thinking, solidarity and resilience as essential elements of global citizenship. This is something we have clearly shown with our latest Rebooting Education Report.
The report collates the insights of 7,000 teachers informing how we can create a regenerative, transformative, green education system. Serving as both a source of inspiration for current teachers, and a roadmap for the future of education in the UK, the report calls for values, sustainability and wellbeing to be placed firmly at the heart of our education system.
