Global Citizenship

January 31st, 2013

Red Nose Day 2013 – Support Materials for Teachers

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: community, Fairtrade, Glow Meet, human rights, poverty
 : Categories citizenship, comic relief, community, international, social studies, sustainable development

In order to support teachers to make the most of Red Nose Day on the 15th March this year Comic Relief and Education Scotland have worked in partnership produced materials directly linked to Curriculum for Excellence and new National Qualifications. 

The materials consist of background information on the topic, a learning journey (teacher guide) and a number of free down-loadable resources such as fact sheet,  and PowerPoint presentations.  The materials relate to Comic Relief’s latest educational resouces on the lives of  young people in slum settlements in Nairobi.

To access the new materials go directly to our Global Citizenship Online Resources Calendar or  follow this link.

If you want to find out more about what Red Nose Day has to offer to your pupils and your school, why not join us for a Glow Meet on Wednesday, 6th February at 11.15

January 14th, 2013

Red Nose Day – Glow Meet: 6 February, 11.15am

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: Glow Meet, poverty
 : Categories citizenship, comic relief, learner voice, sharing practice

Red Nose Day is back on Friday 15th March! Gather your teachers and pupils and join the team from Comic Relief for this pre-event on Glow TV.

Comic Relief have tailor-made resources, easy fundraising ideas and curriculum-linked learning activities that will encourage laughing and learning in your school.

This seminar will also feature a case study from John Duncan of Westhill Academy in Aberdeenshire. He will be telling us about how his students led their amazingly successful Red Nose Day in 2011 – by having fun, raising money and learning through the process.

January 10th, 2013

Red Nose Day is back! – 15th March 2013

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: poverty, Red Nose Day 2013
 : Categories citizenship, comic relief, international, secondary schools, sharing practice

Want to plan a humdinger of a Red Nose Day?   Leave it to your students,                                                                                             

says John Duncan of Westhill Academy

Just days from the end of last Red Nose Day I couldn’t help thinking about the next one. What would my students come up with this time? ‘Gunge your students’ had gone down extremely well, especially with the teachers, and had raised three times the money of the teacher-gunging the previous Red Nose Day.

 Some people think that running Red Nose Day is too much of a challenge – it’s time consuming and there are too many other demands on the school day. Our academy is testament to the fact that it isn’t and there aren’t, especially if you get your students to run it! In 2011 they ran a monster campaign, organised in their lunchtimes and raised a massive £13,000. Everyone had a fantastic time and no one missed out on their schoolwork. More than that, our students learnt and did things they might not have done in traditional lessons. They planned events, talked to local businesses to secure sponsorship and support and raised awareness of important issues. This really boosted their confidence and developed skills and experience that will be invaluable to them in later life, and will stand out on personal statements and CVs as they plan for university and beyond.

Just ten weeks before Red Nose Day the students start planning. We’ve found that starting any earlier can be counter-productive as interest and momentum wane. At the beginning of the spring term students are invited to Friday-lunchtime meetings. As Red Nose Day gets closer they spend a couple of lunchtimes a week organising the activities.

About 20 students sign up at the start, rising to around 60 as the campaign builds. Much of the organising is done by a core group of older students, with help and support from the younger ones. It’s encouraging to see the quieter students getting involved, those students who may not have much to do in their lunchtimes. The campaign gives them an opportunity to take part in something important and make a contribution, however small.

A month ahead of the day, the students launch the event with posters all around the academy. Throughout February they are busy planning and organising in their spare time – we never see a drop in the timetable.

Red Nose Day week kicks off with an assembly to raise awareness of what Red Nose Day is for, and why the academy is doing what they are doing. As with the other activities, the students run this themselves, using video clips and materials from Comic Relief’s website. It’s really important in motivating students to raise funds. When they see that the money they raise will make a difference to people’s lives they become more engaged and raise more money. 

During Red Nose Day week the students hold a series of lunchtime events, for example five-a-side football, gunge, Wii events and lunchtime concerts. Throughout the week there is a focus on simple activities with small targets and small tasks. If every child raises £10, you’ll raise £10,000 in a school of our size.

 As well as the smaller-scale activities, the students organise an event at our local hotel, which provides the venue and support for free. ‘Stars in Their Eyes’ was our last extravaganza. The students’ and teachers’ performances were excellent, especially the teachers’ rendition of Take That’s ‘Relight my Fire’. I think I can say we made it our own.

 Everything leads up to the day itself. In 2011, in the last hour and a half of the school day, we had a funfair in the grounds with old-fashioned stalls and giant inflatables. Again the students did the negotiating, and generous local companies provided the inflatables free of charge. Everybody came to school in circus fancy dress and individual students did all kinds of things to raise money – sponsored runs, silences, dress-ups – and of course they bought Red Noses.

 Which brings me right back to the beginning. What will my students come up with for the next Red Nose Day? Who knows?

 But I do know that if they own it, they will run with it and make it a success. The benefits to them will be enormous and they will help change lives. And it won’t take over the school, nor take over teaching time.

 And I know I can look forward to seeing them taking the lead and driving something through, if ever I needed reminding of just what they’re capable of and how amazing they are.

John Duncan, Westhill Academy, Aberdeenshire

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.

June 19th, 2012

Watch again – Rio+20 Glow meet

imenzies

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

On Tuesday 19 June, schools from across Scotland linked up direct with Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change who is in Rio as part of the official UK delegation to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

 Over 100 heads of state and world leaders are gathering in Rio de Janeiro from 20-22 June 2012 for crucial talks at this summit, referred to as Rio+20.

During the Glow Meet learners from primary and secondary schools were able to put questions to the Minister about the conference and about Scotland’s efforts to tackle climate change. Learners were also encouraged to share their green dreams for the future and the practical steps they have been taking within their schools to make them more sustainable.

All Glow TV events are recorded so if you missed taking part you can still access the recording of this Glow Meet from the Watch Again section of Glow TV.

 A copy of the Minister’s PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded from the Developing Global Citizens Glow group at: http://bit.ly/DGCresources

For a list of useful Rio+20 classroom resources and web links visit our global citizenship blog.

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

May 30th, 2012

Get Ready for Rio+20 – UN Conference on Sustainability

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: action, climate and energy, democracy, events, human rights, natural disasters, nature, poverty, resources
 : Categories biodiversity, community, international, outdoor learning, renewables and climate change, sustainable development

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.

Between 20-22 June 2012 world leaders will gather in Rio De Janeiro for crucial talks at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. 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. The establishment of the international Eco-Schools movement was another practical outcome of this process.

The 1992 Earth Summit achieved much but clearly there are still many challenges to be addressed if we are to build a safer, more equitable, cleaner, greener and more prosperous world for all.

The hopes and expectations for Rio+20 are high and the preparations have highlighted seven priority areas including: decent jobs, energy, sustainable cities, food security and sustainable agriculture, water, oceans and disaster readiness. Rio+20 is a chance to move away from business-as-usual and to take bold steps to end poverty and address environmental destruction.

Sustainability in Scotland

The document, A Flourishing Scotland, produced for Rio+20 outlines the many achievements we should celebrate with regards to Scotland’s success in promoting sustainable development education. IN the context of the Rio Summit it may be of interest to note that Chapter 36 of the Agenda 21 document, which focussed on education, was written by a Scot – Professor John Smyth.

However, other key achievements nationally include: the embedding of sustainable development education, global citizenship and outdoor learning within Curriculum for Excellence; we also have one of the most successful Eco-Schools programme in the world with over 98% of local authority school registered; and Scotland has shown leadership on a world stage by introducing ambitious targets on climate change and in planning for our transition to a low-carbon economy. By 2020 it is estimated that 130,000 people will be employed in low carbon and green industries in Scotland and that renewable energy will provide 100% of our energy needs. Scotland is also the only county in the world to have debated the issue of climate justice in its parliament.

Whilst much has been achieved, there is still work to be done. Nevertheless, there is a real opportunity for Scotland to show leadership on a world stage with regards to its commitment to sustainable development and to set an example for other nations to follow. 

What you can do

Our ambition is that every learner in Scotland recognises themselves as a global citizen; has a strong commitment to living sustainably and has an enthusiasm for the outdoors and nature.

You can help by ensuring that global citizenship, sustainable development education and outdoor learning are on your school improvement plan and embedded in your curriculum. Make these areas the responsibility of everyone in your school, not just the eco-warrior or group, so your school can adopt a successful whole school approach and make an impact on every learner.

Professional learning – read Learning for Change: Scotland’s Action Plan for the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and make use of our resources on sustainable development education, global citizenship and outdoor learning.

Join our online community to share practice and ideas with other practitioners around Scotland and engage in professional dialogue.

Activity ideas

Raise the profile of the conference in your own school or community – organise your own version of the Rio+20 conference.

Invite learners to develop their green dreams – what is their vision of a more sustainable future? What would they like to see happen in the next 20 years? What would their message to world leaders be?

Web links

Official website of the Rio+20 Summit

Twitter – follow the conversation at #Rioplus20

My green dream – add your voice and dream to thousands of others

Education Scotland Online

Sustainable development education pages and videos

Global citizenship resources

Outdoor learning resources

Weather and Climate Change

Exploring Climate Change

Schools Global Footprint

Resources

Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Scottish Sustainable Development Forum have created a Rio+20 resource pack for schools and youth groups. This resource pack can be downloaded from the Eco-Schools Scotland website. Hard copies, plus the accompanying DVD, can be ordered via email: kelly.johnstone@ksbscotland.org.uk

WWF has produced a free Rio+20  teaching resource and associated competition for young people aged 11-14 years. Download for free at: www.wwf.org.uk/futures

Download the special edition Living Planet Report – On the Road to Rio produced by WWF.

Stop Climate Chaos has produced Rio+20 resources for students and teachers. Download from: http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/rc-youth

Useful videos and resources listed on Young Scot pages: http://www.youngscot.org/info/1526-rio20-share-your-vision-for-a-sustainable-future

Daily What Stories

Overfishing and pollution and their effect on marine life:

http://www.dailywhat.org.uk/2012/06/fighting-for-fish.aspx

A new buzz about town – bees and the environment
http://www.dailywhat.org.uk/2012/05/a-new-buzz-about-town.aspx

Gas explosion fears – a reminder of the dangers of drilling for offshore energy
http://www.dailywhat.org.uk/2012/03/gas-explosion-fears.aspx

Mining in space – entrepreneurs plan to mine asteroids
http://www.dailywhat.org.uk/2012/04/mining-in-space.aspx

Pure rubbish church – congregation builds sustainable church from junk
http://www.dailywhat.org.uk/2012/03/pure-rubbish-church.aspx

Eco-kilts to the rescue! The new fashion item that can cut air pollution
http://www.dailywhat.org.uk/2012/02/eco-kilts-to-the-rescue.aspx

Leaf fuel could help save planet – cars and planes could be run on fuel made by artificial leaves
http://www.dailywhat.org.uk/2012/02/leaf-fuel-could-help-save-planet.aspx

Duck! Wildlife crisis ahead – sightings of mallards hit all-time low
http://www.dailywhat.org.uk/2011/11/duck!-wildlife-crisis-ahead.aspx

Also, here is a link to some of our interactive activities that might be relevant:

Climate change quiz
http://www.dailywhat.org.uk/2012/02/leaf-fuel-could-help-save-planet/interactive.aspx

Recycled junk quiz
http://www.dailywhat.org.uk/2012/03/pure-rubbish-church/interactive.aspx

December 9th, 2011

Last day at UN Climate Talks in Durban

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: action, climate and energy, poverty
 : Categories africa, citizenship, renewables and climate change, sciences, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

As major UN climate talks in Durban, South Africa reach their final day, the most likely outcome is a modest step towards a broader deal to cut greenhouse gas pollution to fight climate change.

Scottish climate campaigner, Lexi Barnett (Campaigns Officer with SCIAF), has been attending the talks with one of Latin America’s leading climate scientist. Check out her blog and the news from the last day.

July 29th, 2011

Teach maths to make sense of the world

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: community, conflict, enterprise, Fairtrade, poverty, research, resources, rights
 : Categories citizenship, mathematics, secondary schools

Recently, two very dynamic maths teachers, Chris Smith and Aimee Strange, together with a group of very talented pupils, delivered a session for practitioners during the ‘Leadership of Global Citizenship’ open day at Grange Academy.  “I want to teach maths in a way that makes sense of the world” said Chris Smith.  Below are some links and resources from Chris, Aimee and the pupils, providing an insight into the way in which Maths is taught at Grange, embedding global citizenship throughout the curriculum.  They are very happy for others to use these materials….
Our presentation
http://prezi.com/rqzk_r-j1kih/global-citizenship

All of the lessons we created and the tools used to deliver them are available on the website below
www.enterprisingmaths.com/citizenship/ 

Many of these resources were created using Amnesty’s Citizenship book: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/books_details.asp?BookID=10

You can  download the pupil presentations here

Chris also writes a weekly newsletter for the department which includes loads of lesson ideas (for example the citizenship lessons will be included) , maths puzzles, useful websites, etc.  Here are some sample newsletters:

Maths at Grange Academy issue151pdf 

Maths at Grange Academy issue152pdf

July 11th, 2011

2012 – International Year of Sustainable Energy for All

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: action, climate and energy, poverty, resources
 : Categories international, renewables and climate change, sciences, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

It is estimated that 1.4 billion people still lack access to electricity while almost half of the world’s population – 2.7 billion people – use traditional biomass for cooking and heating. Smoke from polluting and inefficient cooking, lighting, and heating devices kills nearly 2 million people every year, primarily women and children.

Against that background, and recognizing that access to affordable modern energy services is essential for sustainable development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations General Assembly in December 2010, declared 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.

The Year provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of increasing access to energy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy for all. It is also a call to promote action on energy issues at the local, national, regional and international levels towards the internationally agreed development goals.

For information on the UN Observances go to: http://www.un.org/en/events/observances/years.shtml