Global Citizenship

December 19th, 2012

Year of Natural Scotland 2013

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: action, events, nature
 : Categories biodiversity, community, curriculum areas, expressive arts, health and wellbeing, homecoming, languages, mathematics, outdoor learning, religious and moral education, sciences, scottish culture, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

The Year of Natural Scotland 2013 provides an opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s stunning natural beauty and biodiversity, and promote ways in which visitors can enjoy our beautiful landscapes, wildlife and heritage responsibly.

In this the third of four focus years leading up to the Year of Homecoming in 2014, there will be many exciting opportunities for schools to engage in initiatives and events to promote sustainable development education and outdoor learning within the curriculum around the eight key themes listed below.

For an early indication of what’s of offer and how your school can engage with the natural world visit: http://www.snh.gov.uk/enjoying-the-outdoors/year-of-natural-scotland-2013/

Details about other opportunities will follow early in the New Year.

December 17th, 2012

Learning for Sustainability – report published

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: climate and energy, CPD, democracy, human rights, learner voice, nature, resources, school improvement
 : Categories biodiversity, citizenship, community, CPD, creativity, curriculum areas, expressive arts, health and wellbeing, international, languages, leadership, learner voice, mathematics, outdoor learning, religious and moral education, renewables and climate change, sciences, scottish culture, social studies, sustainable development, technologies, waste

Learning for Sustainability – the report of the One Planet Schools Working Group, was published 17 December 2012.

The report includes strategic recommendations to support the development of coherent whole school approaches to ensure that learning for sustainability, global citizenship and outdoor learning are experienced in a transformative way by every learner in every school across Scotland. The report includes a number of recommendations relating to career-long professional learning and initial teacher education and advocates genuine partnerships with local communities and action to improve the sustainability of the school estate. A key ambition of the report is to provide an agenda for strategic change that will create an enabling framework, remove barriers, and build on existing excellent practice.

Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages said:
“I welcome the publication of Learning for Sustainability and would like to thank the Working Group for their work and commitment to producing the report and recommendations. As we approach the Year of Natural Scotland in 2013, the report reminds us of the importance of learning which connects young people to local and global issues, an integral part of Curriculum for Excellence.

“A wide range of actions have been taken as part of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and we welcome steps to encourage and support schools in their approach to sustainability and global citizenship, including through outdoor learning.

“We will take time to consider the report, to engage with partners on its recommendations and respond in full in March 2013.”

The report can be downloaded from:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum/ACE/OnePlanetSchools

See the associated Engage in Education blog from Professor Pete Higgins, Chair of the One Planet Schools Working Group: http://engageforeducation.org/news/learning-for-sustainability/

December 12th, 2012

David Livingstone, Scottish missionary and explorer

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags: Tags: david livingstone, exploration, malawi
 : Categories africa, commonwealth, international, religious and moral education, social studies

David Livingstone is probably the most famous Scottish missionary and explorer, an early example of a global citizen. In 2013 we will celebrate the bicentenary of his birth, and there will be many opportunities for the public and schools to find out more about his life. He spent many months exploring central and east Africa, charting territory which was unknown to Europeans in areas which are now the countries of Malawi and Zambia. A BBC profile provides historical background and biographical information.

Scottish Government has committed funding to activities and events which commemorate this great Scot.

Livingstone was born in Blantyre, Lanarkshire. The tenement which houses his family is now the David Livingstone Centre, managed by the National Trust for Scotland. The Centre welcomes parties of school pupils and visitors to find out more about the man and his travels.

The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh has just opened an exhibition about Livingstone’s life, work and legacy, titled “Dr Livingstone, I presume?“. The exhibits and interpretative comments provide a very useful overview of his times, his Christian beliefs and commitment, and his work to combat the slave trade in east Africa. Part of Scottish Government’s funding package also supports a partnership between the National Museum of Scotland and the national museums in Malawi, which is assisting with skills development in Malawi and the creation of exhibitions in which our two countries have a mutual interest.

This week the Education staff at NMS ran a conference for secondary teachers and pupils. The event attracted great interest, and included contributions by NMS curatorial experts, Lord McConnell, and teachers and students from schools with an active partnership with a Malawi school. STV reported on the day in its story ‘Scottish students mark legacy of Doctor Livingstone and Malawi’ 

The Scotland Malawi Partnership charity continues to promote the building of links between Scotland and Malawi.

October 30th, 2012

National Interfaith Youth Conference, 17 Nov, Dundee

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: debating, events
 : Categories citizenship, international, religious and moral education, scottish culture

“Faith in Peace Building” – making a difference through dialogue

Presentations, workshops, exhibitions and lots more.  Open to young people aged 16 to 35 of all faiths and none.

As youyng people in the 21st century we have inherited a troubled world.  This conference is an opportunity for you to join us to become promoters of what is good in our world, challengers of what is destructive and creators of a new type of world where respect and friendships play a central role.

For applications forms please contact Frances Hume:  fhume@scottishinterfaithcouncil.org,  Tel.: 0141 420 6982.

Interfaith Scotland website:  http://scottishinterfaithcouncil.org/

October 3rd, 2012

Tax Justice and international development

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags: Tags: democracy, events, poverty, tax justice
 : Categories international, religious and moral education, social studies

 Christian Aid and an alliance of Christian charities are collaborating on a campaign to raise public awareness about the issue of Tax Justice, and the huge tax revenues lost by developing countries as a consequence of multinational corporations avoiding taxes. The funds lost in this way by such poor countries greatly reduces their ability to provide services and develop their economies. Tax avoidance also impacts on society here in Britain, as it reduces the funding available to government to address poverty.

One element of the Tax Justice campaign is a round-Britain tour by a specially fitted Tax Justice Bus. This week the bus is travelling around Scotland, and yesterday it made a visit to Hutchesons Grammar School in Glasgow. Pupils spent time on the bus, learning from the exhibits and speaking to charity staff, and the school website reports on the impact of the visit.

Christian Aid also publishes a number of resources to help teachers and community groups consider the key issues around Tax Justice.

The charities are asking for greater transparency in the accounts of multinational companies, to make explicit the countries in which they operate and the taxes paid in each jurisdiction. If clear financial data is made available to government tax departments, it is easier for taxes owed to be accurately assessed and collected.

September 27th, 2012

Holocaust education – teacher professional development

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags: Tags: genocide, holocaust education, prejudice
 : Categories international, religious and moral education, social studies

Holocaust education is a theme addressed every year by teachers in many Scottish schools, and commemorated each January around Holocaust Memorial Day. We know that teachers appreciate professional development  opportunities to increase their understanding of the subject and consider appropriate approaches to learning and teaching about genocide, prejudice and discrimination.

The Holocaust Education Trust will be running a free one-day Scottish Teachers’ Seminar in Glasgow on Saturday 10th November. Keynote speakers will include Ingrid and Henry Wuga, who came to the UK as part of the Kindertransport and settled in Scotland, as well as other presenters. To register an interest in participating in the seminar, contact Richard Hill at HET, richard.hill@het.org.uk

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is offering a workshop session for organisers of local events, including teachers. This half day afternoon event will be held in Edinburgh on Tuesday 16th October. HMDT staff will take participants through the campaign materials available to support activities around Holocaust Memorial Day in January 2013, which has the theme of ‘Communities together: Build a Bridge’. Booking details for this free opportunity are on the webpage.

September 7th, 2012

Food, hunger and global citizens

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories africa, curriculum areas, health and wellbeing, international, learner voice, religious and moral education, social studies

This week the ‘Global Student Forum Scotland‘ event was held in Edinburgh, organised by the Vine Trust and a range of contributing partners. The theme in 2012 was ‘Hungry for Justice’ and the delegates focused on thinking about the Millennium Development Goal concerned especially with global hunger and poverty.

It attracted students and teachers from around 35 Scottish secondary schools, with participants (including me) enjoying a  high quality of presentations and thoughtful discussion. Themes like Food supply, Fair Trade, ethical business, political representation and Development issues were examined by students during the day. Seminars by expert presenters, such as Christian Aid, helped the audience to get to grips with challenges such as the respective roles of UK consumers, charities, politicians and commodities multinationals. One presenter even managed to make the issue of ‘Tax justice’ understandable and interesting for students.

The GSF programme is not just a one-off event but aims to empower students to take action over the coming months and peer-educate other students to raise awareness of these global issues.

August 20th, 2012

David Livingstone bicentenary

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags: Tags: david livingstone, explorers
 : Categories africa, international, religious and moral education, social studies

In 2013 we will mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of David Livingstone, the famous Scottish explorer, missionary and campaigner. He was one of the many Scots who contributed to the development of the modern world, with international recognition of his lasting impact. Many Scottish organisations will be running special events to commemorate his life and works, and countries such Malawi and as Zambia with strong Livingstone connections will also celebrate the anniversary.

The David Livingstone Centre is located in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, and has worked for years to enlighten the public and audiences such as school pupils about Livingstone’s life and actions and the contexts in which he operated. The Centre has launched a ‘Livingstone 200‘ website to help keep people informed about events and encourage mass involvement. The site includes background information; a calendar of events, exhibitions and public sessions; and an email update service.

As young Scots in school learn about ‘Great Scots’ who made a real difference in the world in the past, they understand better what it means to be an active responsible global citizen today. The Scottish Government has provided funding to help celebrate the Livingstone bicentenary and ensure a legacy from it.

June 11th, 2012

Anti-Sectarian education

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags: Tags: sectarianism
 : Categories citizenship, expressive arts, languages, learner voice, religious and moral education, social studies, technologies

North Lanarkshire Council secondary schools have been involved in a video-making project about the hatred and bigotry associated with sectarian behaviour in Scottish society. Students from Bellshill Academy and Cardinal Newman High School worked together to make a video about this form of prejudice and hate-crime, to deliver an anti-sectarian message to young people in the same age group. A NLC news release provides background and details.

BBC Scotland reported on the launch of this video which encourages tolerance of diversity and the eradication of sectarian actions and beliefs.

Glasgow’s ‘Sense over Sectarianism‘ programme continues to work in partnership with schools and community groups to improve the lives of local citizens.

June 7th, 2012

Join our Glow meet from Rio

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: action, climate and energy, community, democracy, events, human rights, learner voice, natural disasters, nature, poverty, water
 : Categories biodiversity, community, curriculum areas, learner voice, outdoor learning, religious and moral education, renewables and climate change, sciences, social studies, sustainable development

11am – 12pm, Tuesday 19 June 2012

WATCH again: See our Glow meet live from Rio+20 where young people from across Scotland put questions to Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change.What are your green dreams for the future?

What message will you send to world leaders?

How can Scotland become more sustainable?

What can we expect from this globally important event?

Over 150 heads of state and world leaders will gather in Rio de Janeiro from 20-22^nd June 2012 for crucial talks at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, will be one of those travelling to Rio as part of the official UK delegation.

Education Scotland, through Glow, is giving you the chance to link with the Minister live from Rio to learn more about the event and the hopes and expectations of the UK delegation.

The conference, referred to as Rio+20, will mark 20 years since the historic Earth Summit in the same city in 1992 which put issues such as climate change and the protection of biodiversity on the map and gave birth to Agenda 21 – an action plan for a sustainable future which was adopted by national governments, cities and local authorities across the world. Rio+20 will focus on seven priority areas including: decent jobs, energy, sustainable cities, food security and sustainable agriculture, water, oceans and disaster readiness.

Rio+20 provides an opportunity to move away from business-as-usual and to take bold steps to end poverty and address environmental destruction.

This will be an interactive Glow meet so get your questions, messages, ideas and green dreams ready for Rio!

• What is Scotland doing to protect the environment and promote sustainable development? What more could we be doing?
• What are your green dreams and ideas for the future? What should we have achieved by the time Rio+40 comes around?
• What messages would you like the Minister to pass onto other government officials and world leaders when he meets them for discussions?

This Glow meet will be suitable for learners in primary and secondary schools.  

Free Rio+20 resources are available at: http://bit.ly/JxZr5G