Conferences will take place between 12-24 October in Birmingham, Bristol, London and Manchester.
Oxfam is launching a programme of regional conferences and is inviting 100 schools across England to get involved. The conferences support curriculum requirements for responsible citizenship at Key Stages 3 and 4, including critical thinking and enquiry, advocacy and representation, and taking informed and responsible action.
Each conference will encourage students to participate in active debate, and draw up a personal action plan to take forward in their school and community, while developing their understanding of social justice and global governance structures. Attending will help students develop their skills in peer leadership and political literacy, and will enable them leave empowered, motivated, and informed- equipped with the knowledge, understanding and skills to effect real change.
This new course at the Institute of Education, University of London, began in October 2008 and 25 students have already enrolled. The Development Education Research Centre are keen now to secure enrolments for their next intake in October 2009 or January 2010 either for the full Masters course on a full-time or part basis or for one of the individual modules.
These modules are:
This new classroom resource has been created to enable children in the UK to understand more about the lives of children in Malawi. The two CDs contain a variety of materials, including an outline planning sheet for a cross-curricular unit of work, twelve detailed classroom activities, over 60 high quality photographs, and information about establishing lasting links with schools in Malawi.
The resource is designed specifically for children in Key Stage 2, but the photographs would also be an excellent stimulus for work in Key Stages 1 & 3.
The resource pack has been written by Alison Buckley, Learning Adviser for Humanities, Northamptonshire County Council, who was privileged to be taken to Malawi to research the work of the Rotary Club of Northampton Becket. This pack is for sale by Northampton Becket Rotary Club, price £34.00 each plus £3.50 p&p. All the proceeds go towards buying classroom stationery boxes for classrooms in Malawi.
Climate change resources for UK secondary schools from Plan
23.07.2009
International children's charity Plan is currently running a new project on climate change aimed at secondary schools in the UK and around the world. Plan is providing a comprehensive series of lesson plans and access to a dedicated multilingual website where students can communicate across the globe.
Make the Link, Be the Change (www.plan-ed.org/inthenews/bethechange/) engages over 3,000 students in 12 countries in the current academic year and is creating online and offline creative projects in the lead up to the international climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in December 2009. The project builds on the award winning methodology developed for last year's ‘Make the Link, Break the Chain' project about the slave trade. As with last year, Plan's project partners are National Museums Liverpool.
They have developed two schemes of work targeting 11-14 year olds. These lessons provide the platform for learning and communication about the four key strands of climate change: impacts, adaptation, mitigation and advocacy. The lessons are mapped to Citizenship and Geography and MFL French and Spanish andcan be found on www.plan-ed.org.
Oxfam have developed materials for a week of activities about climate change for ages 9–11. They provide an overview of the causes and consequences of climate change, and help teachers to explore its impact on everyone, especially people in the developing world.
The activities also help pupils to understand their own contribution to climate change, and that of their school. They include ideas for active citizenship projects designed to reduce school and personal use of fossil fuels.
This resource is divided into five days of activities, split across three sections. They are ideal for the end of the summer term or teachers can pick and choose from the lesson plans, tailoring them to their particular needs.
Education White Paper: 'Your child, your schools, our future: building a 21st century schools system'
23.07.2009
As widely trailed, the recent White Paper ends the national strategies and sets out entitlements for learners. It gives a stronger role to school improvement partners and governors and introduces a new ‘licence to teach'. A new school report card system has also been launched (every school will get a grade...). In many ways the White Paper proposes decentralisation but in important areas it aims to keep power at the centre. See www.dcsf.gov.uk/21stcenturyschoolssystem/.
The first chapter includes some recognition of the need for global learning and the following quotes maybe useful to DEA members in your work:
1.3 We live in a rapidly changing world... Globalisation has led to more diverse societies, bringing many benefits and creative opportunities for this country and for others, but also new challenges in securing a cohesive and successful society. And we face profound global challenges, including climate change and the challenge of learning to live sustainably on our planet, which can only be met through great creativity and international co-operation.
1.5 While we can be sure that the amount of change children and young people will face as they grow up will be great, the precise nature of that change is more difficult to predict. We must make sure that young people leave education and training prepared to cope with uncertainty, risk and change. So, as well as teaching the traditional knowledge and skills that have always been important in schooling, including literacy and numeracy, it is more important than ever that our education system equips young people with a broader set of personal, learning and thinking skills, including resilience, confidence, and the abilities to think analytically and creatively; to learn and research in depth; to be active citizens and agents of change; to work with others and in teams; and to manage themselves.
IoE's new Holocaust Education Programme
23.07.2009
300 schools are to become Holocaust specialists - read more in the TES article (10 July) about the new Holocaust education programme run by London University's Institute of Education: www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6017262&navcode=94
MUNDI project involving Special Schools
23.07.2009
On 6th July there was a release on the Media Newswire about MUNDI's 'Global Voices for Special Schools'
project involving 14 special schools in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire: http://media-newswire.com/release_1094043.html.
From the DEA Chief Executive
23.07.2009
Earlier this month, DFID launched its new White Paper ‘Building our common future' ( www.dfid.gov.uk/About-DFID/Quick-guide-to-DFID/How-we-do-it/Building-our-common-future/ ). In it they restate their commitment to education in the UK:
"...we are committed to building support for global development issues in the UK. Young people in particular need to be encouraged to think about development issues for themselves and come to their own conclusions. The government will continue to focus on promoting learning about development through the UK education system, seeking to deepen our collaboration with the education departments and institutions that influence schools and teachers in the UK."
This is welcome. In particular it is positive that DFID focuses upon longer term education (people coming to their own conclusions) rather than communicating about any particular government initiative. DEA also welcomes DFID's commitment to work more closely with education departments and institutions - something we have long been pushing for.
It is important, however, that education about the big global issues of the day is not restricted to schools. Young people learn outside of the school system and supporting this non formal activity is crucial. DEA has produced a briefing about how this could be done. More generally, it is important not to restrict global learning to young people - there needs to be engagement with adults, through a range of mechanisms including NGOs, trade unions, faith groups, further, higher and community education. There are references in other parts of the White Paper to working with some of these groups - we will continue to push for education to play an important role in this work.
Tender Opportunity - Development of Commonwealth Youth Summit Resources
23.07.09
The RCS is currently seeking support to develop teacher toolkits and student resources for the Commonwealth Youth Summits. Find out more...
DCSF Award for Sustainable Schools East Midlands Region
23.07.2009
Congratulations to Edwalton Primary School, winner of the DCSF Award for Sustainable Schools East Midlands Region and to both Silverhill Primary School and Boston West Primary schools , who were runners up. We're delighted for Brian Owens, Kate Nash and Mike Schofield (Headteachers), all the staff and particularly the children for achieving success in this prestigious award programme.
All three schools are case study schools on the www.EastMidlandsSustainableSchools.org.uk website
Congratulations to all the schools.
The Commonwealth Youth Summits
23.07.2009
The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) has been awarded a Development Awareness Fund (DAF) grant to organise a series of Commonwealth Youth Summits across the country.
Claire Anholt from the RCS has been in touch with EMNGPS Project Manager Rohini Corfield about EMNGPS members' involvement in identifying young people to attend the summits, and in the possibility of tendering to help produce educational resources.
This project may provide an ideal opportunity to bring GD work in the formal and non-formal sectors together, as discussed at the EMNGPS residential conference.
This year the Commonwealth turns 60. However, a nationally representative survey found that only one in five UK respondents could name any of the activities undertaken by the organisation.
Young people were even more indifferent to the Commonwealth, and less familiar with its work. 8% of under-35s thought that the USA was a member, and 3% thought that President Obama was the head of the Commonwealth. One percent thought U2’s Bono was the head.
The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) believes such low levels of enthusiasm and knowledge present a serious problem. If the Commonwealth’s work promoting human rights, sustainable development and democracy is not known about, then the association will cease to be relevant to the next generation.
The new programme will bring to life key international issues such as climate change and poverty reduction for 120 Key Stage 4 students from the East Midlands, as well as another 1330 young people elsewhere in the UK.
Young people from 10 schools and youth groups will come together for a two-day programme to take part in interactive, varied activities to explore today’s big issues and the concept of global interdependence, and to develop their political literacy and public-speaking skills. On the second day, pupils will play the roles of Prime Ministers, Presidents, Foreign Ministers and journalists during a mock Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Participants will then elect 15 representatives to attend a National Commonwealth Youth Summit in London, to meet with other young people from across the country and to take their ideas forward to real leaders.
Claire Anholt, from RCS, told Rohini: "We intend to host a Summit in the East Midlands in early 2010 and would love you and the young people you work with to get involved.
I would be so grateful for the opportunity to come to meet your Locality Group to talk briefly about this project and hear your thoughts on how it would work best for you. I can share with you the exciting Commonwealth education resources we are developing and give you a quick presentation about our plans for the Commonwealth Youth Summit in your region."
On 22 July Susan Kendall and Shiraz Chakera from the General Teaching Council of England met with Rohini Corfield to discuss:-
1. innovations in networking
2. supporting professional practice in relation to global perspectives
by considering the following:
the way EMNGPS works and the benefits it generates for teachers and children
national links EMNGPS makes
new national links and services EMNGPS could benefit from
the impact of EMNGPS' work on global perspectives
what more EMNGPS would like to do and what the barriers are.
The discussion was wide-ranging and included an exchange of ideas about nurturing teacher creativity, building individual and network capacity and measuring impact for learners and teachers.
The Department for International Development recently commissioned four reviews about different aspects of the Building Support for Development programme.
These individual reviews looked at the effectiveness and efficiency of DFID-funded work in:-
Education including the DEA, EES ( Enabling Effective Support) networks , DGSPs (DFID Global School Partnerships)
Media
DAF ( Development Awareness Fund) projects
Business, Trades Unions, BME and faith groups
All the above reports, and a synthesis report will be published on the DFID website (www.dfid.gov.uk) at the end of July.
Stakeholders (Local Authorities, Schools, NGOs) are then invited to email their feedback to the reports and their recommendations by mid-September. The DEA will also be holding a Consultation event on the Education and DAF Reviews on 14 September.
DFID Ministers will then consider responses and make decisions by the end of November.
Colleges-University of Leicester Network (CULN)
20.07.2009
On 7th July, Helen Trilling and Rohini Corfield made short presentations about the Regional Network for International Learning (RNIL) and EMNGPS to CULN. Staff from FE colleges across the Midlands Region with a particular interest in international issues were interested to hear about the work of both networks, and eager to get involved. They were signposted to the Locality Groups and a variety of regional training events.
Education for Sustainable Development CPD Programme launched at University of Leicester
08.07.2009
A new continuing professional development course in Education for Sustainable Development will be offered at the University of Leicester from October 2009. The Postgraduate Certificate in ESD is at masters level and aims to provide educators with the opportunity to deepen and broaden their skills and understanding of how to develop engaging and vibrant ESD learning opportunities for their students. The course has been designed with busy teachers in mind. A subsidy has been secured from the TDA, bringing the cost down from £1323 to £498 for anyone with QTS.
Teaching the Global Dimension: A handbook for teacher education
08.07.2009
This handbook has been produced (with funding from DFID) to support the embedding of the global dimension in teacher training. It is a timely publication with the advent of the new secondary and primary curricula and the promotion of thematic and cross-curricular learning. Unique features of this valuable teaching resource include:
a framework for how the global dimension (GD) links to learning and teaching
the Qualified Teacher Status standards in a global learning context
how mentors and tutors can support their trainees to engage with the GD
an overview of questioning, critical thinking / literacy skills and teaching strategies
how the GD links to other curriculum initiatives such as Every Child Matters and Community Cohesion.
The book is available for £10 plus p&p. For more information contact Jane Angel on 0161 921 8020, or at info@d ep.org.uk.
Journey through Europe
08.07.2009
The European Studies Programme has launched a new publication called "Journey through Europe". This resource is free to download from www.european-studies.org
European Studies is a post-primary curriculum-based programme for schools. The programme links schools across Europe through sustained collaborative projects furthering tolerance, mutual understanding and an appreciation of the cultures of others. It is jointly funded by the Departments of Education in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Hetan Shah, Chief Executive of the DEA visited Silverhill Primary School in Derby to find out how the school embeds ESD and the Global Dimension across the curriculum and ethos of the school.
Hetan and Rohini were welcomed to the school by Headteacher Kate Nash, and pupils from the School Committee and Eco-committee who took the visitors on a tour of the school showing them the vegetable patch, wildflower meadows, pond and chickens - all exciting areas for outdoor learning. The pupils explained what they had learned through working with these outdoor stimuli, and how the school involved parents , governors and community organisations like the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust in its work on sustainability.
Teachers who are going to visit partner schools in India next week joined the group for lunch to share their ideas about the challenges and joys of international school links and other ways that the Global Dimension can be brought to life in the curriculum.
The group was also joined by Graham Falgate from Derby City Children's Services and Linda Barker, Director of Global Education Derby, for a discussion about the importance of leadership and ways to provide teachers with support on ESD and the Global Dimension.
Hetan thanked the school for hosting such an interesting and informative visit.
New Funding Central website launched
29.06.2009
Funding Central, a new website managed by NCVO, was launched on Wednesday 17 June 2009.
Funding Central gives access to thousands of funding and finance opportunities, plus a wealth of tools and resources supporting organisations to develop sustainable income strategies appropriate to their needs.
It will also give you a wide range of tools and resources to help you identify and manage the most appropriate income source for your organisation.
The new-look Sustainable Schools website is now live at: www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools.
To check whether your organisation is listed on the site, go to the 'Who can help?' section. To request to be added to the list of organisations providing support, or to amend your details, email the 'contact us' address given on the site.
There are a number of teaching resources still to be added. These should be up within the next few days.
Evidence for Global Learning
29.06.2009
DEA has pulled together the main data from its MORI research around the need for and impact of global learning. This document also references recent research from the Geographical Society and also Ofsted's reports which call for a greater focus on global learning. Download the briefing at www.dea.org.uk/resources/item.asp?d=1041.
Who Do We Think We Are?
29.06.2009
Who Do We Think We Are? Week was 22-28 June 2009, exploring identity, diversity and citizenship across the curriculum.
The 'Who Do We Think We Are? Week' Project was launched recently to engage primary and secondary school teachers in the exploration of issues relating to identity, diversity and citizenship with their pupils. The project draws on subjects including geography, citizenship, history and religious education and particularly explores the themes of:
School and community
Relationships, belonging and faith
History and settlement
Britishness, national identity/values and the 2012 Games.
Teachers can access www.wdwtwa.org.uk for starter activities, case studies, tool kits, guidance and ideas on how they can take part in Who Do We Think We Are? Week this year. Further information about the project can be obtained by contacting the project officer at wdwtwa@rgs.org.
Nuffield Review of 14-19 Education and Training
29.06.2009
‘Education For All: The Future Of Education And Training For 14-19 Year Olds' has been published by Routledge. A summary can be found at: www.nuffield14-19review.org.uk/files/documents206-1.pdf.
It is in many ways consistent with the issues raised at www.dea.org.uk/ourglobalfuture. It states, for example, that "All learners will have to become more rounded, resilient, creative and social, if they are to help shape an increasingly unpredictable and demanding world." Its five demands include "The re-assertion of a broader vision of education".
Oxfam speaker recruitment
29.06.2009
Oxfam is currently recruiting for new young speakers for the next academic year:
Location: In the speaker’s local area. Commitment: To deliver at least one presentation to a local school, youth group or community group per month for one year. Context: Oxfam Youth and Schools works to deepen young people's understanding of global citizenship and promote informed action to shape a more just and sustainable world. Key Responsibilities:
Representing Oxfam by delivering presentations and workshops in local schools, youth groups and community groups.
Informing learners, educators and members of the community about the causes of global poverty and the actions they can take to build a more just and sustainable world.
Building relationships between Oxfam and schools, youth groups and community groups.
Responding flexibly and creatively to meet the expectations of schools, youth groups and community groups.
Skills and competences: Good interpersonal and communication skills that motivate and inspire audiences;
Commitment to Oxfam’s aims and values and passionate about the promotion of global citizenship in schools, youth groups and community groups;
Understanding of Oxfam’s work and development issues;
Ability to build relationships with young people, educators, youth leaders and members of the community;
Experience of using ICT to deliver presentations. Application process: Please contact John McLaverty (0207 802 9981) for an application form and role description, and for any other queries about Oxfam Speakers. Application deadline: July 10 2009 Interview date: July - August in the applicant’s region Start date: Residential training on either 11-13 September or 9-11 October, and starting as soon as possible after completion.
Immigrant communities:
assimilation, multiculturalism or integration
29.06.2009
Edited by Carlton Howson and Momodou Sallah.
Europe is not what it used to be, and not yet what it will be. The assassination of
Theo van Gogh in November 2004, the 2001 riots in the Northern cities of England,
the riots in France in November 2005 and the incident of the Danish Cartoons in 2005
are all manifestations of mainstream Europe’s struggle to reconfigure itself. The
rapidly changing demographics, especially after post World War Two immigration,
have led to what Ramadan (2007) calls a ‘European identity crisis’.
This book brings together some of the leading writers in their fields to explore a
range of issues concerning Europe’s established and emerging immigrant
communities: religion, health, housing, refugees and asylum seekers, working in post
conflict ethnic zones, community cohesion in rural areas, security, Gypsies and
Travellers. The first part of the book looks at such topics across Europe whilst the
second explores specific issues using the UK as a microcosm.Readers will find a wide range of perspectives based on empirical research and
grounded in critical analyses, as well as responses to the new challenges confronting
Europe. Find out more here.
Sustainability matters
29.06.2009
A new short film highlighting the potential benefits of sustainability aims to inspire people to sign up to the government’s Sustainable Schools agenda.
Commissioned by DCSF, Sustainability Matters is a seven-minute film available to watch or download on the updated Sustainable Schools website - www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools. Ideal for stimulating group discussion among students, staff and governors, it shows how sustainable development isn’t just about recycling and low energy bulbs, but encompasses care for oneself, care for each other and care for the environment. It also reveals the far-reaching potential benefits of integrating sustainability into a school’s daily life, from budget savings to higher standards.
In light of the government’s vision that all schools are sustainable by 2020, the updated website also has tips on how to get involved, information on local support and case study examples from schools that have already taken steps towards sustainability.
United Kingdom Global Learning Association for Schools (UKGLAS) Annual Conference
5 Local Authority representatives from Leicestershire, Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire and the EMNGPS Project Manager joined 25 other peers at the UKGLAS annual conference and AGM.
British Council colleagues gave three presentations about different programmes. Click on the links below to download the presentations:
Connecting Classrooms - works with school clusters in the UK/ across the world with a focus on promoting intercultural dialogue
Comenius Regio - encourages Local Authority and partners to link with counterparts in Europe to address mutual educational /social challenges
DFID Global School Partnerships (including the LA element) -supports sustainable school linking with schools in the developing world based on mainstreaming the 8 key concepts of the global dimension across the curriculum
In the East Midlands region a target has been set to increase the number of DFID Global School Partnerships from 90 ( March 2009) to 350 (by March 2012) - www.britishcouncil.org/globalschools
Local authorities will also be invited to work with clusters of schools on the promotion of DGSPs.
The conference also provided an opportunity to network and share ideas.
Journals Project
22.06.2009
The 2009-12 Journals Project is a new and exciting project for young people aged 11-21. Over the next four years, The Mighty Creatives will be looking for around 500 young people from across the East Midlands to record their personal stories, experiences and memories of the Special Olympics, Cultural Olympiad and 2012 Olympic Games. These young people will receive training to develop new journalism and media skills and support to help them use these new skills well.
The Mighty Creatives are currently recruiting young people for the first part of the project – documenting the events surrounding the Special Olympics Leicester 2009. The group of young people involved in the project will act as diarists and “citizen” journalists. They will create a “People’s Record” of events which will be stored in public record offices across the East Midlands and allow young people of the future to know what Leicester was like in the year 2009. The project will help to record what life was like for young people in the early 21st century.
Once signed up, all participants will receive FREE professional training from Threshold Studios on producing multi-media journals. All participants will then attend the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony on Saturday 25th July at the Walkers Stadium and one or more ‘go see’ events from the extensive cultural and sporting programme surrounding the Games.
Gatekeeper organisations (who are in charge of recruiting young people) are now being recruited by Project Champions across the East Midlands. Gatekeeper organisations can be schools, youth groups or any organisations working with young people. The Gatekeeper organisations will recruit young people to get involved in the Journals Project and will help them to choose and book the events they will document. They will enable the young people with whom they work to gain valuable training and skills and to produce a lasting record of this unique event.
Figures released by The British Council place Nottingham in the top 10 per cent of Local Authorities engaging with the International School Award. Read more...
This issue includes articles on Global Bites, Who Do We Think We Are? Week (22-27 June), other GED news and, on the back page, Diary Dates.
Report from BONN ESD conference
26.05.2009
From 31 March to 2 April 2009, the "UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development - Moving into the Second Half of the UN Decade" was held in Bonn, Germany. The Conference brought together around 900 participants - including nearly 50 ministers or deputy ministers of education - from 147 countries of the world to review progress under the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD).
At the end of the conference, the Bonn Declaration reflecting the debates and proposing strategic orientations for the implementation of the UN Decade in its second half was adopted. It attests the importance of ESD in the current world situation. In particular, in light of the present context of financial and economic crises and global challenges, it places emphasis on several key areas, which include: reinforcing the educational response to sustainable development challenges; developing and building capacities for adapting to change; sharing knowledge and experiences; and reinforcing synergies between different education and development initiatives.
The Bonn Declaration is a call for action, stating that, "in the coming years, there is a clear need for both developed and developing countries, civil society and international organizations to make significant efforts to:
At policy level in member states
Promote ESD's contribution to all of education and to achieving quality education
Increase public awareness and understanding about sustainable development and ESD
Mobilize adequate resources and funding in favour of ESD
Re-orient education and training systems to address sustainability concerns through coherent policies at national and local levels
Develop and strengthen existing international, regional and national enabling mechanisms and cooperation for ESD that respect cultural diversity and enhance North-South-South and South-South co-operation
At practice level
Support the incorporation of sustainable development issues using an integrated and systemic approach in formal education as well as in non-formal and informal education at all levels
Reorient curriculum and teacher education programmes to integrate ESD into both pre-service and in-service programmes
Promote evidence-informed policy dialogue on ESD, drawing upon relevant research, monitoring and evaluation strategies, and the sharing and recognition of good practices
Develop and extend ESD partnerships to integrate ESD into training, vocational education and workplace learning
Involve youth in the design and implementation of ESD.
Enhance the major contribution and key role of civil society
Value and give due recognition to the important contribution of traditional, indigenous and local knowledge systems for ESD
Actively promote gender equality through ESD
Develop knowledge through ESD networking
Encourage and enhance scientific excellence, research and new knowledge development for ESD through the involvement of higher education institutions and research networks in ESD
Develop institutional mechanisms to ensure that ESD continues to be implemented beyond the DESD
Engage the expertise available within the UN system to strengthen ESD in key sustainable development conventions
Intensify efforts in education and training systems to address critical and urgent sustainability challenges"
It calls for making a compact with the global DESD movement aimed at improving knowledge, skills and competencies and strengthening values and attitudes oriented towards a transition to a more just, fair and viable world. The Bonn Declaration will serve as the backbone for the development of the post-Bonn process within the framework of the DESD.
Film producer Lord Puttnam is leading a new foundation aimed at improving school life.
The Curriculum Foundation aims to develop and share "cutting edge thinking" and best classroom practice.
The Curriculum Foundation will hold its inaugural conference in July 2009, where Labour peer and Open University chancellor Lord Puttnam will show excerpts from his new film on global education.
He said: "I am proud to be taking the role as chair of the new Curriculum Foundation. The foundation will provide the very best forum for schools and colleges to come together to pool expertise and ensure that meeting learners' need through the curriculum becomes everyone's priority. I am particularly pleased that the foundation will have such a strong international element. We cannot allow young people to learn in isolation one from another."
A Different View: World Issues Survey from the Geographical Association
26.05.2009
In February 2009 the Geographical Association commissioned Ipsos MORI to investigate which issues Key Stage 3 students think are important and whether they feel they are learning about them. The research explored:
The wider world issues that pupils think are important
Whether or not they have learnt about/discussed them at school.
The lessons in which they have learnt about/discussed them.
The importance they attach to learning about these issues.
The great majority think it is important to learn about issues affecting different parts of the world, particularly how the world they live in may change.
Most young people think that not enough time is spent learning about the wider world in school.
These correlate with findings from DEA's Ipsos MORI research into young people's experiences of global learning (published June 2008) and teachers' attitudes to global learning (published March 2009) - see www.dea.org.uk/research.
From the DEA Chief Executive
26.05.2009
This morning Roger Clarke (DEA's chair) and I met with Michael Foster, the Minister at DFID who is responsible for building support for development in the UK. We reiterated the importance of this agenda during an economic downturn. We took the opportunity to restate a number of the points that we made in our response to the Building Support for Development review and to say that the global learning agenda should be reflected in DFID's forthcoming White Paper.
The Minister told us that the department recognises the importance of the agenda to engage in long term education in the UK about development. We discussed the funding situation and he assured us that there were no plans to cut funding for this area. This is obviously good news given the wider economic climate and the pressure on government departments to reduce spending. We will keep you posted with developments on this agenda.
DEA has launched its new website. Tell us what you think. We will be continuing to develop it over the coming months, so tell us what you'd like to see on it (contact Michaela Keating - michaela.keating@dea.org.uk.
We've also launched our new subject leaflets for secondary schools - available to download at www.globaldimension.org.uk/explore. These provide a very short guide for teachers who haven't thought about the global dimension before. These have been posted to members, and are being sent to every secondary school in England this week.
Stories of the World - Cultural Olympiad Project
20.05.2009
Stories of the World is one of the 10 major projects at the heart of the Cultural Olympiad, led by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) in partnership with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). Comprising a series of innovative exhibitions to run in 2011/ 12 – featuring collections reinterpreted by young people, local communities, historians, artists and other fresh voices – it aims to further engage young and diverse audiences with the museum sector.
In the spirit of the London Olympics 2012, Stories of the World will seek to welcome the world to Britain by using the country's rich collections to tell inspirational stories about the UK’s relationships with the world. Young people will be at the heart of the project, working for the first time in partnership with curators to uncover objects that tell the stories closest to them.
The resulting exhibitions – delivered by 14 regional partners representing 50 museums across the UK – will cover thought-provoking themes such as empire, sex, trade, and immigration, with each promising to shed more light on our distinct national make-up. Held in both traditional and unexpected venues, from museums to nightclubs, the exhibitions will leave a lasting legacy by attracting new audiences to museums and fostering creativity in the young.
From 22 May 2009 new climate change documentary The Age of Stupid, will be revolutionising film distribution. It stars Pete Postlethwaite, a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?
Licences are available, long before the film comes to DVD, at bespoke, affordable prices, for anyone to screen the film, whenever and wherever they want. Very cheap licences are available for schools. Go to www.indiescreenings.net for more details, and to book your screening.
Islamophobia and A Safe Place - double DVD set from Show Racism the Red Card
20.05.2009
This double DVD set and education pack from Show Racism the Red Card aims to target racism towards asylum seekers and refugees and combat the recent growth in Islamophobia. It is suitable for Key Stages 2 and above, as well as adults. In both films, young people and top footballers share their opinions on the topic. The accompanying education pack has activities and discussion points to stimulate debate and promote understanding, plus details of learning outcomes, age group suitability, running times and curriculum links.
Who Do We Think We Are? Week - Grants for Schools in England
20.05.2009
Deadline: 11 May 2009
As part of the annual 'Who Do We Think We Are? Week' which encourages primary and secondary schools to explore issues of identity, diversity and citizenship with their pupils, grants of up to £500 are available for schools to develop activities linked to the focus week, which runs from 22 to 28 June this year.
This free one-day conference will be held on 1st July 2009 at Bestwood Country Lodge. Find out more about the event here.
The role of the media in community cohesion
05.05.2009
On 21 April 2009, Rohini Corfield attended a Masterclass organised by the Institute of Community Cohesion (www.cohesioninstitute.org.uk) about the role of the media in promoting community cohesion.
Nick Carter, ex-Editor of the Leicester Mercury talked about how his paper proactively made links with the diverse communities across Leicester to produce a paper which appealed to all. He set up a multi-agency mutli-cultural advisory group (MCAG) to help Mercury staff understand what was happening in local communities in the run up to the 2001 general election so that news could be reported accurately. The MCAG has been instrumental in encouraging responsible political campaigning (forming the Leicester Declaration) and organising peace rallies. It is recognised as a national exemplar and Nick has been to Prague to share his ideas.
The event enabled useful networking with people from a range of public and voluntary organisations committed to enhancing community cohesion.
Lincolnshire's Citizenship Newsletter
05.05.2009
Download the latest edition of Lincolnshire's information-packed Citizenship newsletter, including a write up of the recent successful Sustainable Schools Showcase event.
The Gambia Study Visit Course
05.05.2009
Tide~ is planning a Study Visit Course for next school year, and intends to form a group this term.
The course offers space for primary teachers to think and plan for global learning, and includes a one week study visit to The Gambia at February Half Term 2010 and preparation and follow up sessions.
There will be an open session for those who want to find out more on Thursday 4th June 2009, 5pm at the Tide~ Centre, Birmingham. While we are hoping that this session will be well attended, it is not a part of the selection process or the course itself.
Teachers TV, in association with the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council), has launched a cross-curriculum project called Tomorrow’s Teacher. Its aim is to inspire teachers and their students to imagine the future and consider how today's rapid pace of change will impact upon the educational needs of the next generation.
This project provides an engaging set of resources:
• programmes
• lesson plans
• worksheets
• related video content from Teachers TV
Pa Pa Paa LIVE! delivers webcasts from a rural school in Ghana attended by the children of Fairtrade cocoa farmers. Schools can watch the webcasts through a computer and projector, or interactive whiteboard.
They are running a 50% discount on subscriptions for schools that sign up before World Fair Trade Day on 9th May. Just visit www.papapaalive.org/subscribe and use this coupon code to claim your discount: ftschools50.
The students at the Ghana school are filming the webcasts themselves, and they have now filmed four webcasts. Your students can ask them questions online, and then the students in Ghana can answer them in their webcast. Tune in to learn more about the lives of pupils from a school built with Fairtrade money.
Global learning in primary schools ~ thinking about a new curriculum
05.05.2009
A feature article based on the two 2008 Tide~ primary global learning conferences is now 'live' on the Tide~ Talk section of the website - www.tidegloballearning.net.
Entitled Global learning in primary schools ~ thinking about a new curriculum , it draws on workshops, presentations, panels and discussions at the two events, including reflections on and the network response to the Rose Review’s Interim Report on the Primary Curriculum.
Global and International dimensions newsletter
05.05.2009
The Regional Network for International Learning (RNIL) has published its April 2009 newsletter, which is packed with information about events, courses, resources and competitions for school leadrers, teachers and students. Download the newsletter here.
New Edition of DE Times
05.05.2009
The April edition of DE Times, the newsletter from the Development Education Exchange in Europe Project (DEEEP) is now available online. Click here to download it.
Geographical Association launches 'A different view'
05.05.09
At the GA's Annual Conference, Professor David Lambert launched 'A different view', the Geographical Association's manifesto for school geography.
It makes a compelling case for geography in education. At its heart is the manifesto booklet, covering seven themes which state the GA's beliefs and priorities about learning geography. The manifesto is supported by:
• eight families of superb images, downloadable from the GA site and free to use in the classroom
• a growing collection of teaching activities using the photographs, from primary to post-16, free to download from the GA site
• links to supporting web resources and sources of further information
• a leaflet describing the manifesto and setting out the project timeline, going out to all UK schools.
A different view, and the supporting materials on the website, are designed to be used in any context where geography is taught, explained, encouraged or promoted. Find out more at: www.geography.org.uk/adifferentview.
New community cohesion and diversity resources for schools
05.05.2009
The Family Diversities Reading Resource was launched last year and includes 100+ picture books for children in primary schools and other settings - find out more here. Dr Richard Woolley, a Senior Lecturer at
Bishop Grosseteste University College said "It has been well received in many quarters and Lincolnshire funded copies for every school."
A second project has also taken place in Lincolnshire; the Personal Histories project was a pilot undertaken with three primary schools in Boston, to develop community cohesion. Find out more at www.bishopg.ac.uk/personalhistories. Dr Woolley is currently working with local authorities to see whether it is possible to develop similar projects. He adds, "I am now completing a resource providing children's picture books focusing on the social model of disability. All these are freely available for use by education settings."
Who Do We Think We Are? Week 22-28 June 2009 - Deadline for grant applications is 11th May
05.05.2009
Exploring identity, diversity and citizenship across the curriculum.
'Who Do We Think We Are? Week' was launched to engage primary and secondary school teachers in the exploration of issues relating to identity, diversity and citizenship with their pupils , in their schools, local communities and beyond and follows the Curriculum Review on Diversity and Citizenship undertaken by Sir Keith Ajegbo. The project draws on subjects including geography, citizenship, history and religious education and particularly explores the themes of:
School and community
Relationships, belonging and faith
History and settlement
Britishness, national identity/values and the 2012 Games
Teachers can access www.wdwtwa.org.uk for starter activities, case studies, tool kits, guidance and ideas on how they can take part in 'Who Do We Think We Are? Week this year. Schools are also invited to apply for grants of up to £500 to develop activities linked to the programme for 2009. The deadline for applications is 11th May and further information about the application process can be obtained by accessing the project website or by contacting the project officer at wdwtwa@rgs.org.
EMNGPS e-news
30.04.2009
Click here to see the latest e-newsletter from EMNGPS.
By teachers, for teachers
15.04.2009
Global Education Derby
has announced that the
Green Flag for Development website
is now online and available for teachers to use.
Green Flag for Development worked with a group of practicing teachers and educationalists, with expertise in Global Education and Education for Sustainable Development, to produce classroom materials to bring a global dimension to the Eco-schools topic areas and the Sustainable Schools doorways.
You will find activities suitable for all key stages, which you are welcome to adapt and make your own - ranging from PowerPoint presentations, comparative locality studies and games. Each section offers Teachers' Notes to guide organisation and delivery. Visit http://green-flag.org.uk/Default.aspx
DEA Ipsos MORI research and new Policy Recommendations
02.04.2009
DEA commissioned research into teachers’ attitudes to global learning and their confidence in teaching it. This is available at www.dea.org.uk/research . The key findings were:
94% feel that schools should prepare pupils to deal with a fast-changing and globalised world. However, almost a third of teachers (31%) disagree that the current school system prepares pupils to deal with a fast changing and globalised world.
While teachers express confidence in discussing general global themes - such as supporting pupils to understand the interdependent nature of the world, or the fact that people have different ways of seeing the world - they are less confident in teaching specific issues.
A high proportion of all teachers (80%) agrees that thinking about how teaching contributes to making the world a better place motivates me to stay in teaching.
DEA also launched its new ‘Policy Recommendations’ based on discussions around ‘Questioning Education’ which was published last July. Many DEA members were involved in discussions and made very valuable contributions to the development of the policy recommendations. Most of the recommendations focus on the need for support for teachers and school leaders. They are available at www.dea.org.uk/ourglobalfuture.
New QCA publication on Sustainable Development
02.04.2009
The DEA has been involved in developing ‘Sustainable development in action: A curriculum planning guide for schools’ - download this resource or click here to order multiple copies
You can also order up to 10 copies of ‘Top tips to develop the global dimension in schools’ from the Sustainable Schools website at www.teachernet.gov.uk
New Eco Schools Guidance for Early Years
02.04.2009
Eco-Schools has introduced new guidance for early years, helping to make the programme more accessible to nursery schools and children's centres.
Previously the team advised early years to adapt the criteria to suit the capabilities of the children however this made the criteria subjective and therefore harder for you to assess. It is hoped that the new guidance, which is supported by Rupert Bear, will help more children's centres, nurseries, Sure Start centres and playgroups reach Green Flag status.
Centres can still register online and follow the seven step process already in place for Eco-Schools. Adults will now lead the programme with the aim of increasing the environmental awareness of the children.
Children's Centres now have access to a revised green flag application form and environmental reviews, available under the ‘Resources and links’ section of the website at www.eco-schools.org.uk/links.
DEA invites contributions to DFID Review
02.04.2009
DFID is conducting a review of its work to build support for development in the UK and have asked their consultants to put together a questionnaire for DEA's network to feed in your views. Please take this opportunity to feed in your views - click here to complete the questionnaire. Questionnaires should be returned to the consultants by Friday 24th April 2009.
DFID is reviewing its work within the UK to build support for development since the publication of the Building Support for Development Strategy Paper in 1999. The objective is to reflect on the impact of this work to date and to inform future efforts. DFID's budget for this area is likely to rise next year, and so this work will help to develop plans for how best to spend DFID's funding in this area. Separate reviews are being carried out as follows:
review of work to build development support through the education system and in wider work with young people. This will look in particular (but not exclusively) at DFID’s funding to the DEA, the Global School Partnerships programme and the Enabling Effective Support initiative. The review will be carried out in April-May by two consultants from PriceWaterhouseCoopers: Andrew Griffin and Oliver de Botton. Andrew and Oliver are experts on the UK education sector and are from a teaching background;
review of work to build development support through the media . This is looking in particular are the impact of the CBA-DFID Broadcast Media Scheme. It is being carried out in March / April by Paddy Coulter and Amanda Barnes of Oxford Global Media. They both have many years of experience of work to encourage development coverage in the UK media;
of the Development Awareness Fund (DAF) and Mini grants competitive funding mechanisms. This will look at the impact of the DAF / mini grants to date as well as at the operation of the DAF. This review is being carried out in late March / April by Hilary Thorton and Shaun Hext of Verulam Associates.
review of work to build development support through work with trades unions, faith, BME and disapora groups. This is being carried out in April by Paul Thornton and Shaun Hext of Verulam Associates.
A synthesis report of the findings of the four reviews will be produced by Paul Thornton in June 2009. You will be able to make an input to the reviews in two ways:
2. Join a consultation event. DFID has asked DEA to work with other partners to organise three regional stakeholder seminars. These will cover the Education review and the DAF / mini grants review and the consultants from each of these reviews will be present to listen to your views. The events are taking place as follows:
• Newcastle, Monday 27th April, 12.30 – 4pm (lunch from 12.30 – 1pm) at the Seminar room at Sage Gateshead. To register for this event please RSVP to averil.newsam@ownne.org by Friday 17th April.
• Birmingham, Wednesday 29th April, 12.30 – 4pm (lunch from 12.30 – 1pm) at Tide~ global learning, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG. To register for this event, please RSVP to helen@tidec.org by Friday 17th April.
• London, Thursday 30th April, 12.30 – 4pm (lunch from 12.30 – 1pm) at NCVO. To register for this event, please RSVP to dean.weston@dea.org.uk by Friday 17th April.
There are limited places available at the events, and they will be filled on a first come / first served basis, so please register early.
DFID Global School Partnerships - Evaluation Consultation
02.04.2009
The DFID Global School Partnerships (DGSP) programme is seeking a consultant to analyse evaluation reports and data gathered over a 6 year period 2003-2009 to compile evidence of the impact on learners, teachers and schools and to provide recommendations to develop and strengthen the benefits of the programme.
For a copy of the Consultation Brief including Terms of Reference, contact Clementine Robertson at the British Council, 0131 524 5723, Clementine.Robertson@britishcouncil.org.
The deadline for submissions is Monday 13 April 2009. The consultant will be expected to produce a full written report by 30 July 2009.
Leadership of the Global Dimension
26.03.2009
On 23rd March 2009, 14 Primary Headteachers and a secondary School Leader from the East Midlands met with Lesek Iwaskow, HMI Inspector for Geography and Sustainability to have a strategic dialogue as part of the School Leadership course run by EMNGPS and Oxfam.
The session started with Headteachers visioning why schools should mainstream the Global Dimension (GD) and then Lesek shared Ofsted's vision for successful schools.
Further dialogue focused on:
How does the GD relate to strategic agenda like Every Child Matters, Community Cohesion and Raising Standards?
How can Headteachers lead on the GD? What are the risks and challenges? How can these be overcome?
How can the impact of the GD be evaluated ? What audit tools exist? How can stakeholders be actively involved?
These discussions will be used to refine a CPD (Continuing Professional Development Tool) for School Leaders.
DEA Launch of Teacher Research and Global Learning Policy Consultation
26.03.2009
On 24th March 2009, EMNGPS Project Manager Rohini Corfield joined 100 other educators from universities, colleges, regional networks, NGOs, government departments and companies at the DEA launch in Westminster of two important documents.
Barry Sherman MP, Chair of the Children Schools and Families Select Committee welcomed the research commissioned by the DEA in which Ipsos Mori explored Teachers' Attitudes to Global Learning - see www.dea.org.uk
Hetan Shah, Chief Executive of the DEA, also emphasised the importance of the Policy Recommendations which were consulted on through a series of regional events, including the EMNGPS Consultative Day in November 2008. If implemented, these Policy Recommendations would lead to changes in the education system ensuring that every child can benefit from global learning. The event provided a good opportunity for networking and showed the increasing interest in global learning.
Both documents will be distributed to EMNGPS members to use in their work mainstreaming the Global Dimension.
UK Global Learning Association for Schools
20.03.2009
On 18 March 2009, two EMNGPS members joined eight other Local Authority, Regional Network colleagues and consultants at the UKGLAS meeting to share information about the mainstreaming of International Education and the Global Dimension. Items discussed included:
Plans for the UKGLAS summer conference, entitled the LA Offer.
Update on research commissioned by the DCSF about the International School Award.
the International Development work of the National Union of Teachers.
Doug Bourn, Director of the Development Education Research Centre based at the Institute of Education gave an input about the work of the centre which focussed on building an evidence base for the impact of global learning.
Brief introductions to students on PhD courses researching various aspects of Global Learning eg, the impact of school links on Southern partners, Young People as Global Citizens, Teacher Reflective Practice.
Global Education Derby publish annual review
17.03.2009
Global Education Derby have published their 2008 annual review with a new style. Please send feedback to Lisa Sabey at GED.
Tide Enabling a Connected Curriculum - Opportunities for Global Learning at Key Stage 3 Conference.
17.03.2009
On 5 March, 80 teachers, Local Authority advisers and NGO staff met at the above conference. In the morning keynote speeches from four distinctive areas of the curriculum explored the potential for individual subjects to contribute to global learning.
Science was ideally suited to developing critical and analytical skills which could be applied to all learning. Geography could make a major contribution to Futures Learning and Interdependence. History enabled the exploration of emotive and controversial issues. Design and Technology encouraged learning to question.
Workshops explored:-
Critical engagement with the Media and Internet
Building Student Participation
Exploring Diversity and Identity
Developing Enquiry Skills
In the afternoon a series of big questions were explored as stimuli for cross-curricular planning frameworks. For example: Do cities unite or divide communities? Who do we trust on Climate Change? When is overseas aid a good idea?
All groups reported that these questions could be used as a way of bringing global learning into secondary schools in a coherent and stimulating way.
Between 9 and 18 May, there will be 10 days of pan-European action for the EU elections, with campaigning taking place all over the EU to let MEP candidates know that international development and climate change matters. In the UK, hustings and a few stunts are planned, along with lobby activities. BOND has also produced a toolkit which activists and those interested in development can use to contact their regional candidates for the European Parliament.
Ofsted has published 'Professional development for citizenship teachers and leaders' as part of its evaluation of the DCSF funded certificated Citizenship courses. Download the report at www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/070253.
It evaluates the training sessions that 'included work on: political literacy; critical thinking; global education; working in partnership with non-governmental organisations (NGOs); pedagogy for citizenship; progression in learning; assessment; classroom resources; and the teaching of controversial topics'. Despite the courses having a positive impact, universities were struggling to recruit for them. This potentially points to the need for local authorities to be more involved.
ESD Activites - climate campaign March 16-27 2009
12.03.2009
1. Travel to school campaign
CO2nnect.org is now open for registrations!
CO2nnect.org is the website carrying all information and collecting all data entries in connection with an international school campaign organised by the SUPPORT network.
The main goal of the SUPPORT project is promoting and learning more about education for sustainable development (ESD). This international school campaign is one of the main activities within the project, aiming at a wider understanding and practice of ESD in schools.
Although education for sustainability should be integrated in all aspects of the school organisation and serve as the foundation of the curricula, rather than as isolated one-day events or specific lessons in a few subjects, the SUPPORT network has chosen to focus this campaign for ESD around the themes of climate and
transport. This is to make it easier to grasp, as the experience from schools that have strived to integrate ESD in all parts of their organisation, planning and teaching, have found that it works best to take it in steps, or it might become too overwhelming. And, as we all know, reducing the use of fossil fuels are of course one of the most crucial questions to solve in our time.
You can read all about the suggested activities as well as background information about the learning goals, CO2 emission calculations and view the data entered by other schools, as the entries start coming in. There is a two-week intensive campaign March 16-27, when most schools will be most actively working with the campaign activities - but the website will be open throughout the year and all schools/teachers are of course free to use the CO2nnect materials and fit it into their planning as they find best. During this period there is also a climate and transportation expert answering questions from teachers and pupils.
2. ESD practitioner workshops, Germany – September 2009
Biodiversity in Education for Sustainable Development- Reflection on School-Research Cooperation, will take place 24-27 September 2009, at the beautifully located Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, near Hessen in Germany.
The aim of the workshop is to explore how schools and researchers can collaborate to create high quality education on biological diversity. It will be a medium-sized workshop to explore how schools and researchers can collaborate in education on biological diversity, building a bridge between scientific theory and educational practice. The workshop will be a meeting place for teachers, teacher trainers, scientists and education specialists.
Karin Ulbrich will present a new software, that aims to demonstrate the impact of climate and humans on biological diversity in terms of animals, plants and habitats with a focus on so called ecosystem services. The software illustrates the impact on biodiversity according to three scenarios, which include not only climate change but also socio-economic processes, in particular land use (e.g. deforestation, defragmentation and destruction of natural habitats due to agriculture, urbanisation, highway construction etc).
The workshop has been validated by the National Agency and is published in the Comenius - Grundtvig Training Database with the reference number "DE-2009-840-001", which means those interested should apply to their national agencies for financing.
The Fight against World Poverty
12.03.2009
On 13th May 2009, Rohini Corfield will be representing EMNGPS at the DFID White Paper consultation in Leicester. DFID are consulting on the proposals at http://consultation.dfid.gov.uk
The Study Visits Team at ECOTEC have announced the publication of the new Study Visits Catalogue for visits taking place between September 2009 and June 2010.
The deadline for applications is 9 April 2009. There are around 300 visits to choose from in this year’s catalogue, on a wide variety of topics relating to education and training. The catalogue is available for download at www.transversal.org.uk where you will also find links to the application form and guidance notes.
Transversal Study Visits are for learning professionals involved in the design or delivery of education or vocational training. They spend up to a week in another European country finding out about different education and vocational training systems and practices. Why not take a moment to read about Chris Williams’ experience in Guadeloupe by clicking here or about Ronan Heenan’s visit looking at making vocational and educational training more attractive here?
For further information and guidance, please visit www.transversal.org.uk or contact the Study Visits Team at ECOTEC, the UK National Agency for the Leonardo, Grundtvig and Transversal Programmes, studyvisits@ecotec.com or call 0845 199 3939.
Consultation on Humanities, Science and Languages Diploma
12.03.2009
On 28th May 2009, Rohini Corfield will be attending a consultation on the Humanities, Science and Languages diploma criteria at the East Midlands Nottingham Conference Centre. If you are interested in attending, please click here to register online.
Common Purpose
12.03.2009
Common Purpose have launched their latest Matrix programme - click here to find out more information.
Rohini Corfield, EMNGPS Project Manager, recently met with Nacho Galvez the Programme Director for Common Purpose in Leicester, an organisation which runs a variety of training for leaders across the UK from the voluntary, public and private sectors. Find out more at www.commonpurpose.org.uk
Lincolnshire Sustainable Schools Showcase
12.03.2009
On 4th March 2009, the EPIC centre was the venue for a fantastic conference organised by Lincolnshire Local Authority about bringing the Sustainable Schools framework to life.
The theme - Our Future is in their hands! - enabled schools, community organisations and local authorities from all parts of the country to share information about all aspects of sustainability.
103 exhibitors relating to the eight doorways of the Sustainable Schoools Framework demonstrated practical help schools could access with each of the doorways.
Global dimension
Buildings and grounds
Food and drink
Purchasing and waste
Travel and traffic
Energy and water
Inclusion and participation
Local well-being
There were also:
A series of talks from Ofsted, DCSF, British Council and schools
Tours of the EPIC centre
Cooking demonstrations
Drumming workshops
The whole event had a Waste Free Policy and was a Carbon Neutral Event. The carbon emmissions generated by transport and energy consumption at the event were offset via woodland creation projects with the Woodland Trust and via international methane capture and renewable energy projects with the Carbon Neutral Company.
Our Congratulations go to Jane Fletcher, Kim Hudson and Andy Roberts - for an inspirational event.
International project staff vacancies
CfBT are recruiting staff to work in projects in Abu Dhabi, Brunei and Oman. Click here to find out more about recruitment fairs in London, Manchester and Dublin.
Poverty and Climate Change
16.02.2009
In January 2009, DFID Secretary of State Douglas Alexander gave a keynote speech about the links between development and climate change. Click here to read more.
In the speech, he mentioned that DIFD would be holding an international conference in March this year. DEA understands that this is likely to be followed with a series of regional conferences - these may present a key opportunity for DEA members to engage with DFID Ministers on key issues of importance to education and global learning, both now and for the future. Keep an eye on future e-noticebards for more information on dates and details.
Save the Children want to come and present free resources to secondary schools
16.02.2009
Save the Children's Eye to Eye project has been working with secondary teachers to produce teaching materials around photographs taken by working children. These materials are now up on their newly designed and structured website www.savethechildren.org.uk/eyetoeye where you will find a Resources section including films, photographs with captions and classroom activities for a range of subjects (particularly Humanities, Citizenship, English and Spanish). Teachers can use these as an opportunity to further their engagement with the 'Global Dimension'.
Just as importantly, Eye to Eye would like to come into schools to present these resources to teachers. They can tailor the presentation to your needs and promise to make it an exciting introduction to some very unique resources. Just contact them with the request specifying time, date and context (departmental meeting, lunchtime or after school meeting). Eye to Eye are also responding to requests for assemblies and there is an exhibition that you can have in your school.
If you are working with teachers Eye to Eye would appreciate your assistance passing on the message about these resources, including any opportunities to link to these web-resources from your website if you have one.
Launch of new Fairtrade webcast service for schools
16.02.2009
Trading Visions, the educational charity set up by Divine Chocolate and Comic Relief, have launched an online video broadcasting service for schools. Pa Pa Paa LIVE! will deliver webcasts from a rural school in Ghana to classrooms across the UK. It aims to increase young people’s understanding of development awareness and the actions they can take as consumers and global citizens to make the world a better place.
For £40 a year, schools can tune into regular themed webcasts from a rural Ghanaian school attended by the children of Kuapa Kokoo Fairtrade cocoa co-operative farmers. Schools can post questions for the Kuapa Kids to answer in each webcast and take part in online forum discussions after each webcast.
Pa Pa Paa LIVE! is supported by comprehensive online teaching resources on Fairtrade and chocolate at www.papapaa.org and a DVD and photo pack. It is most suitable for Key Stages 2 and 3.
Education for the 21st Century - Sign Up to the RSA Charter
16.02.2009
Do you want to see a transformation of our education system? Do you want to be part of a broad movement for real, innovative, locally based change? Sign up to the RSA Charter and get ready to be involved in the campaign.
The RSA, working with strategic partners in education, including DEA, is planning to launch a national campaign in Spring 2009, based on the Education for the 21st Century Charter . The campaign will aim to celebrate and spread innovative work already being carried out in schools. The RSA will draw on a wide range of initiatives from organisations that have signed up to the Charter.
The target audience for the campaign will not be government, but teachers, parents, students and schools, and the goals include supporting these people to make change happen where they are - and to champion it when it does.
How you can help:
• Tell the RSA that you support the Charter either by notifying the RSA Education team (see below for contact details) or by signing up at www.theRSA.org/educationcharter.
• Encourage your networks to sign up too.
• Tell others. The success of the campaign depends on people spreading word of it, and encouraging others to support the work too.
If you sign up, you will receive information via email about other ways to support the campaign leading up to and following the launch. There is no obligation for signatories to do anything other than put their names to the Charter, but there will be opportunities to participate in the campaign: be it acting as a campaign 'Champion' in your local area, becoming involved in campaign networks at a local or national level, sharing existing practice or experiences and identifying innovation.
The TES is running an award for Outstanding Sustainable School of the Year, with a deadline of 20 February 2009. Find out more at www.tes.co.uk. The DCSF Award for Sustainable Schools is part of the Teaching Awards 2009, with a deadline of 1 March 2009. Find out more at www.teachingawards.com.
Seeds for Schools - Letter from the Secretary of State
16.02.2009
On 10 February 2009 Ed Balls wrote to all headteachers alerting them to the 'Seeds for Schools' scheme. The initiative by the Forestry Commission and the News of the World will see all primary and secondary schools in Britain receive a pack of 200 tree seeds and a DVD this Spring. Read the letter here.
Book release: Sense & Sustainability – Educating for a low carbon world
16.02.2009
Authors: Ken Webster and Craig Johnson, £15.00, ISBN 978-0-9559831-0-8. This book aims to make you think differently around the issues of sustainability and the environment. It argues that we are caught between climate change and a peak in oil production and that we are bound for a low carbon future: it will be the equivalent of a 2nd industrial revolution. Sense and Sustainability insists that schools and colleges need a revolution in their approach to green issues to keep pace and to dispel some common myths. Sense and Sustainability argues for a shift from focusing on ‘me and consumerism’ to ‘systems and citizenship’. It also argues that schools can learn from leading businesses such as General Electric, Toyota and InterfaceFLOR or designers like William McDonough who are taking their cues from how living systems work. It demonstrates that most so called solutions like recycling, efficiency and exhortations such as ‘if everyone walked/cycled etc...’ are deeply problematical. Instead, the book emphasises the crucial role of government and active citizenship – as in a revived democracy and participation. The authors quote Al Gore: “As important as it is to change the lightbulbs it's more important to change the laws...” Sense and Sustainability is a call for an education which truly and honestly matches the challenge of transition to a post-oil era. The book is published using ‘print-on-demand’ technology and chapters and illustrations from the book can be downloaded direct from the book website www.senseandsustainability.com for a small fee. Supplementary teaching resources are also available to download for teachers to use in their classrooms.
Courses on Development Education
16.02.2009
The Institute of Education, University of London currently runs a Masters degree course on Development Education. Students can apply to undertake the full MA or particular modules:
Principles and Practices in Development Education
Development Education in Era of Globalisation
Training for Development Education
Global Partnerships
Applications are now open for students who wish to undertake any of these courses which will begin in the autumn of 2009 and January 2010.
UK representation regarding Development Education at EU level
16.02.2009
Are you interested in representing UK development education in the European Union?
There are a number of fora at the European level engaged in development education activities. At the moment Pete Davis from Oxfam represents the UK development education networks and BOND at CONCORD’s Development Education Forum, and with other European networks including DEEEP. Pete will be stepping down from the role in 2009, and so the UK DE networks are looking for someone to carry out representation at European level.
The role takes up around 20 days a year, and National Platform representatives are expected to take on the post for a three-year period.
The role is unpaid, although expenses are reimbursed. It provides excellent networking opportunities and will enable the person to gain a good understanding of how the EC works, as well as gather insights into current priorities for development education in other countries of the EU, particularly among NGO communities.
Would you be interested in taking up this role? If so, please send your CV and cover letter to Dean Weston by Friday 27 February 2009. For more information please contact Pete Davis.
'Facing Faiths?' Training course for Executives
16.01.08
Not a day goes by without faith being mentioned in the media. Both public and private spheres of life are increasingly influenced by the world faiths. Whether it is an employment tribunal case, insensitive delivery of a service or the impact of policies, your decisions are felt by faith communities.
For leaders in public, private and third sector organisations, the challenges are immense. St Philip's Centre is running a three day course for senior executives titled 'Facing Faiths?' The course will equip you with the confidence to engage and support people of faiths.
The course will address some of the key practical and theological questions about faith in public life. This will include an overview of legislation affecting religion and belief and case studies. The programme will enable you to hear from and put questions to senior faith leaders and activists.
You will hear expert contributions from:
The Rt. Revd. Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester and member of the House of Lords.
Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Muslim Council of Britain and Imam. Regularly featured on BBC news/ radio and Channel 4.
Shaunaka Rishi Das, Director of Oxford University's Centre for Hindu Studies.
The Revd. Guy Wilkinson, Interfaith Advisor to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Jaspreet Kaur, Assistant General Secretary, Guru Teg Bahadur Gurdwara, Leicester.
The three-part course (11 March, 7 May & 1 July) costs £500 and will take place at St Philip's Centre in Leicester. Visits to places of worship and interactions with grassroots community workers are some of the benefits of participation. Please contact Kathy Morrison to book a place.
Website Live - International Climate Challenge
12.01.08
We are delighted to announce that phase one of the ICC website is now live!
You can find lots of useful information about how the projects are working in each of our pilot regions (within Kenya, India and the UK), read about climate change issues and how young people are getting involved and find signposts to a host of brilliant resources.
Please take a moment to have a browse www.interclimate.org/challenge and vote for the feature you would most like to see and do let me have any feedback.
More content will be added over the coming months including details of some of the exciting projects that are already underway so do keep checking back.
Connecting Classrooms Central and South Asia
09.01.08
The Connecting Classrooms Central and South Asia programme is now open for local authorities to recruit clusters of schools seeking partnerships with schools in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Clusters of schools in your local authority should comprise a minimum of three schools and should include at least one Primary and one Secondary school. Special Schools may also be included.
Equality and Human Rights Commission have sent out their sixth issue of Equality News. Click the link below to find out more about how the Commission celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, our legal news, regional news, future events and much more.
For the fifth year running the International Education Office is arranging two one-week courses in the Dordogne in France for teachers and teaching assistants with a good O’level or GCSE in French. The courses are not for beginners or French graduates.
Applicants should be currently teaching or intending to teach French at KS2, be keen to improve their knowledge of French, French culture and teaching methodology and to spend a week in a small village in the Dordogne with other primary language teachers learning and sharing. Although these courses are geared for English teachers of primary French they are actually open to teachers from across Europe.
Dates
Course 1: May 16th - 23rd 2009
Course 2: June 20th – 27th 2009 Cost: The course, travel, accommodation and subsistence are funded by the European Union. Programme: Full information on the course content can be found on the EU course database- input the course reference number: UK-2009-878-002 Application Procedure:
a) Register on the course by contacting ann.shakespeare@gloucestershire.gov.uk Tel: 01452 427270
b) Complete the application for EU funding. Applications should be sent to the British Council as detailed on the form. The closing date for funding is January 16th
Congratulations, Marcela!
18.12.08
Many of you may be aware that Marcela Flores Newburn left Global Education Derby at the end of the Summer Term, to pursue a new business venture.
Just in case you were wondering how she is getting on, take a look at the following link:
For those of you who have had the opportunity of sampling Marcela’s “wares”, this will be no surprise!
CONGRATULATIONS, MARCELA! I’m sure I speak for all in saying we wish you every success in the future!
Evens Prize for Intercultural Education 2009
18.12.08
The Evens Foundation supports sustainable projects that contribute to a deeper respect for the cultural and social diversity in Europe. The Evens Prize for Intercultural Education has just announced that next year it will be funding media projects aimed at encouraging children (aged 4-12) from diverse backgrounds throughout Europe to learn to live together.
Further information, including a call for proposals and an application form, are available at: www.evensfoundation.be/en/ice_2009.html. The application deadline is 15 January 2009.
21st Century Schools: A World-Class Education for Every Child / A School Report Card: consultation document
Global awareness, sustainable development and community cohesion are mentioned in paragraph 3.24. We need to work to ensure that this further informs the rest of the plans. DEA will make a response and would welcome views from members by 23 February 2009.
The DCSF introduction states:
"One year ago, we set out in The Children’s Plan our ambition to make England the best place in the world for children and young people to grow up. World-class schools and world-class standards are central to achieving this vision. It is because every child deserves a great education that we are taking the next steps to making it a reality. We have now produced two linked documents that set out further information and invite feedback. The first describes how the entire school system will need to change, and how individual schools will need to look beyond traditional boundaries, be outwards facing and work in close partnership with young people, parents, other schools, colleges, universities and with other children's services. Views are sought on how we can best achieve this. The second document is about School Report Cards, and seeks input on the principles that should govern the report cards."
Consultation by the General Teaching Council for England on their new code for teaching
18.12.08
What standards are teachers committed to? What skills do they need, what values should they uphold? The new code will aim to provide a benchmark for the teaching profession. DEA will make a response, so please send your thoughts to Helen Young, email: helen.young@dea.org.uk as well as responding directly.
The consultation is at www.opm.co.uk/gtc/ until Friday 27 February 2009.
News coverage of Primary Review
18.12.08
Sir Jim Rose’s Independent Review of the Primary Curriculum (Interim Report) was published last week on 8 December, see: www.dcsf.gov.uk/primarycurriculumreview/ (and below in Policy section).
The British Council would like to promote The Prime Minister's Global Fellowship Scheme to schools in the East Midlands who were vastly underrepresented in the successful 2008 pilot.
The Fellowship itself offers 100 school and college leavers, youth community representatives and apprentices the chance to visit some of the major countries of the new global economy; Brazil, China and India. The aim of the scheme is to arm these young people with the skills and confidence to spread the message to their peers of how the world is rapidly changing, the value of positioning yourself as a citizen of the world rather than of a single country, and the importance of an enterprising spirit in taking forward the UK as a competitive player in the global marketplace.
During their time away, Fellows have an introduction to the culture and language of their hosts, time in an education institution while staying with a host family and time as the guest of a multi national company.
Please contact Katie Hadfield at the British Council if you need any more information or would like her to come and talk to 6th formers in your area.
Opening the Doorway to Sustainability: An online course for educators
9.12.08
This is a professional development programme from WWF-UK, which is being run in 2009 by SEEd. Using the DCSF's National Framework for Sustainable Schools as a starting point, it offers an opportunity to explore how taking a sustainable schools approach can benefit pupils, teachers, the wider community and of course the health and wellbeing of the planet on which we all depend.
Course participants will explore different approaches to sustainable schools, identify and begin to develop key skills, and practise reflection and action learning approaches to ensure new skills and knowledge are applied. At the end of the course, participants should feel equipped to take forward the sustainable schools agenda with confidence.
Practical Action has a newly revamped website including a searchable database for Sustainability in Design & Technology which brings together the best of their STEP and SDA resources.
New Parliamentary Select Committee Inquiry into Teacher Training
9.12.08
The Children, Schools and Families Committee is to undertake an inquiry into Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for teachers.
DEA will be making a submission and would welcome members' views on what needs to change in ITE and CPD. Please contact Helen Young, email: helen.young@dea.org.uk to get involved in this important opportunity.
Reach: National Role Models
5.12.08
Communities and Local Government launched the national Black role model programme on 3 December 2008 to tackle a culture of low aspirations and low attainment among some Black boys and young Black men. 20 national role models were selected in November 2008 and will work at a national level, serving as an inspiration to others. The role models come from a number of different professions including amongst them a fire fighter, teacher, barrister, journalist, naval officer, civil servant, local councillor and a company director and a number of geographical locations from across the country. This brochure contains their biographies.
Outstanding Cohesion Commendation for St Philip’s Centre!
28.11.08
Staff at a centre specialising in building relationships between people of different faiths have received a major, national commendation for their efforts. The St. Philip’s Centre in Leicester was selected as one of only six national projects by the Institute of Community Cohesion (iCoCo) as a finalist for the Award for Bridging Cultures (ABC) in one of the categories. In total nearly 250 applications were received.
At a special ceremony in London earlier this week, St Philip’s Centre was awarded a certificate of commendation and a cheque for £5000 to develop its work further. Judges described the Centre’s work as “outstanding”.
Canon Dr. Andrew Wingate, Director of St. Philip’s Centre said, “I congratulate all our staff, our resource people, partner organisations and all those who have participated in our variety of programmes be they dialogue, sport, training or engagement because they have contributed to this award. The Centre officially opened in 2006 and in such a short space of time we have made an impact at national level. I see this award as an important moment in the development of the St Philip’s Centre because we will not become complacent. This award will be the springboard to doing even more innovative and peacemaking work.”
Varsana Devidasi, resource person at St Philip’s Centre added, “We have come into contact with significant numbers of people locally, nationally and internationally to spread the message of inter faith harmony and understanding. I am delighted that our distinctive approach to promoting positive and lasting relationships between different faiths and cultures has been recognised in this way.”
The St Philip’s Centre has achieved major successes to date. On the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it set up the UK’s first ever Imams Vs Clergy annual Cricket match as a way of uniting communities to commemorate the victims. The match has taken place each year ever since. The Centre runs a series of dialogue groups to build friendships and trust between different faiths, stages inter faith charity dinners to raise money for needy causes, provides courses for members of the public and organisations such as Leicestershire Constabulary and Leicestershire County Council to learn more about different religions and hosts several international groups who want to find out more about the Centre’s work. In February this year, HRH Prince Charles visited St Philip’s Centre to offer his support.
There was double delight for Leicester because the Leicester Multicultural Advisory Group also picked up a commendation in another award category.
The ABCs are funded by the Baring Foundation and delivered by iCoCo. The award rewards grass roots, community and voluntary organisations for local schemes and projects which promote intercultural dialogue and understanding.
Feast E-News
28.11.08
Feast - the Food & Farming network have sent out their November newsletter.
Commemorate 20 years of Chembakolli by joining an interactive online march
19.11.08
For many UK primary schools, Chembakolli is probably the most famous village in India and this December sees the start of celebrations to mark 20 years of village life.
Chembakolli, a village in southern India, was reclaimed following an unprecedented march in December 1988 by 10,000 Adivasi (indigenous people) from the Nilgiri Hills. After many years of seeing their forests destroyed, being chased off their land and treated like beggars, the Adivasis joined together to reclaim their tribal rights to live in the forests near the town of Gudalur. The march was a huge success, winning the respect of the government and local people. The Adivasi were able to settle in many villages on the land, including Chembakolli, as well as establish their own school and hospital.
To celebrate this anniversary, ActionAid has launched an interactive online march, enabling teachers and pupils to create their own character and personalised placard before joining the virtual march. Along the march you can find out about local landmarks, including market stalls, the hospital and school, and meet real life people and read their stories As more people join the march, the route will extend into Chembakolli where visitors can learn about life in the village by clicking on parts of the village, local people, and an elephant.
ActionAid has also produced The Chembakolli Story, a beautifully narrated audio CD accompanied by a story/activity book and poster. The CD covers the events of the past 20 years in six parts, each with descriptive sound and music clips recorded in the village. It is ideal for classroom listening and interpretive learning and is available for £20 (inc p&p).
To join the online march or find out more about Chembakolli resources go to: www.actionaid.org.uk/march.
National survey launched into how the Holocaust is taught
19.11.08
The first large scale national survey into how the Holocaust is taught in English secondary schools has been launched by the Institute of Education, London (IOE).
The launch coincides with the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht (9 November 1938), when violent acts against Jews in Nazi Germany were legitimised and close to 30,000 Jews were sent to concentration camps in a single night.
Dr Stuart Foster, reader in history in education and director of the project, explained that while the Holocaust is a compulsory part of the national curriculum, little is known about teachers’ attitudes and perceptions about it, and existing small-scale research suggests that many feel ill equipped to handle such a difficult and emotive subject. “This survey will shed light on the challenges that teachers face when teaching this complex and demanding subject,” he said.
The researchers hope to find answers to such questions as: Why do teachers choose to teach about the Holocaust? How much time do they devote to it? Are there reasons why a teacher may hesitate to teach the subject? Does the background of the students affect this decision in any way?”
The survey is part of a three-year £1.5 million project funded by DCSF and the charitable Pears Foundation, with support from the Holocaust Educational Trust. It will culminate in a national programme of courses to help teachers address the concerns and issues they encounter when teaching about the Holocaust.
Questionnaires will be sent to teachers in all secondary schools in England between November and the end of this term, followed early next year by interviews and case studies. The content of the courses, to be delivered from eight regional centres, will be informed by the results.
Citizenship Education Longitudinal Study (CELS) in England
19.11.08
The 6th annual report from this study has recently been published. Entitled Young People’s Civic Participation In and Beyond School: Attitudes, Intentions and Influences , this report focuses on young people’s civic participation in and outside of school, and draws on a longitudinal survey of Year 11 students (age 15 to 16) that was conducted in 75 schools in 2006-2007.
Over 11,000 students completed the latest questionnaire, which is the third CELS survey that this cohort has participated in. The report also highlights any preliminary changes and trends that may have emerged since the first and second surveys were undertaken in Year 7 and Year 9. The report also presents some preliminary findings from the longitudinal survey of teachers and school leaders from these 75 schools. In doing so, the findings move on thinking and understanding about how young people develop citizenship dimensions and raise a number of issues that require further investigation.
A new law to place a duty on all maintained schools in England and Wales to consider the views of children and young people was passed by the House of Lords on 11 November 2008.
This significant legal reform will substantially strengthen the legal rights of children to participate in school decision making. The move follows decades of campaigning by children's rights advocates.
The Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE), a Participation Works partner, has been lobbying for the move on behalf of the partnership. Carolyne Willow, National coordinator of CRAE said: "This is a historic moment that we have worked for years to achieve. It was simply unacceptable that schools should have no legal obligation to consider children's views. This change in the law should help transform the culture of schools, with children being firmly at the centre of policy and practice."
The move is one of the first major actions to protect children's rights taken by new children's minister Baroness Delyth Morgan of Drefelin. The minister explained: "… I am sure that the whole House will agree that the voice of pupils and young people is extremely important … The new duty in these amendments sends a clear message about the importance that we place on the involvement of pupils, which the Children’s Rights Alliance for England also eloquently advocates, in matters that affect their education and school life. Through regulations, we intend to require governing bodies to invite views on a core set of policy matters. As a minimum, schools should seek and take account of pupils’ views on policies on the delivery of the curriculum, behaviour, the uniform, school food, health and safety, equalities and sustainability, not simply on what colour to paint the walls."
The new duty will require governing body of a maintained school to invite and consider the views of pupils about prescribed matters. The Government promised a full consultation on implementation of the duty in Spring 2009 with it coming in to force soon after: the minister assured parliament that ‘we do not intend to drag our heels’ .
The lack of participation rights for school students was raised by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in its concluding observations on the UK issued on 3 October 2008 (as well as in 2002 and 1995).
As its contribution to the Participation Works partnership, CRAE appointed a dedicated post holder, Tom Burke, in 2007 to lead lobbying on this and other policy developments.
On 12 November three EMNGPS members joined 70 other delegates at the above conference in Leicester.
Key presentations included:
Globalisation: an idea whose time has come?
Young people and youth work in a global society - keynote speech by Dr Douglas Bourn
Where is the love? A creative arts youth project about the arms trade
Momodou Sallah from De Montfort University presented the research findings about the state of global youth work in Higher Education Institutions.
Workshops included discussions about capacity issues, standards and benchmarks, collaboration across sectors, supporting young people to campaign and humanitarian education.
A panel discussion covered how global youth work could be mainstreamed and learning from Wales.
Recommendations were made at the end of a stimulating day.
New Undergraduate Degree bringing together Education Studies and Development Studies
11.11.08
Starting in October 2009, Bath University is launching a new undergraduate degree in Education and International Development.
The course includes a range of units and offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by spending a year on a professional placement overseas or in the UK.
Units include:
- the relationship between education, democracy and citizenship;
- non-formal education and education for lifelong learning;
- global perspectives on childhood and education;
- gender, disadvantage and development;
- regional specialisms;
- the politics of development.
Returning from work abroad, a few ex-VSO volunteers began to collect and refurbish tools for African villages. Critical of much overseas aid, they aimed to provide practical, people-to-people support, promoting 'development on a human scale'. They formed an organisation, Tools for Self Reliance, based on the principles of integrity, frugality and friendliness.
That was back in 1978. Since then the idea has spread in Britain and beyond. Over a million renovated tools have already found their way into the workshops of carpenters, mechanics, tailors, builders and blacksmiths in some of the world's poorest countries.
Glyn Roberts and Mark Smith, who worked with TFSR for almost 20 years, describe the triumphs, compromises and near disasters of those early years in Keeping Something Alive , which also includes a free DVD featuring contributions from people involved during that period. It is an inspiring, colourfully illustrated, often amusing story, with messages for anyone interested in voluntary organisations, how they start, survive and develop.
Available price £6 plus £1.50 p&p from TFSR, tel: 023 8066 9697.
Special Offers to Schools and Local Authorities from Rafi.ki
11.11.08
Rafi.ki is an online community that links schools across the world so that classes can meet and collaborate on joint projects (linked to the curriculum and by subject specialism). Launched just over a year ago it has grown rapidly to over 900 schools in 96 countries and is growing at 3 schools a day.
Special Offer for Individual Schools For a limited period Rafi.ki are giving every school that registers for Gold Membership 15 free webcams worth £450 – 10 for the school itself and 5 free webcams to their specified partner schools across the world. Or over two months free Gold Membership - so they get 12 months membership but only pay for 10 months, a saving of £150.
This offer will be open open to any school that upgrades to Gold membership by 21 November 2008. Schools which upgrade after that date will receive five free webcams until the end of November.
Special Offer for Local Authorities (ongoing) Where local authorities can bring together 10 or more schools that register for Gold Membership Rafi.ki will reduce the price by £200 per school. In addition to this they will provide one free Gold Membership subscription for an 11th school which the local authority can designate as a training 'champion' within the local authority. In return for this free Gold Membership there will be a requirement that this 'champion' school will run international dimension projects from Rafi.ki for best practice in the local authority and run two international dimension events in the local authority. Thereafter any school that introduces another school to Gold Membership will receive 2.5 months free membership in the following year.
Where local authorities can work together on a regional basis and bring together 25 or more schools, Rafi.ki will reduce the price by £250 per school. For each 10 schools they will operate the same 'champion' model.
Rafi.ki hope these special offers will be attractive to both individual schools and local authority advisors and support them in the work they are doing to encourage schools to build the global dimension into their school's curriculum, particularly in view of the new secondary curriculum. Details are also available on: www.rafi.ki.
Gold Membership subscriptions are used to provide 100% safety online safety through professional moderation and to ensure that Rafi.ki is free for all schools in developing countries.
Visit to Dunkirk Primary School, Nottingham
7.11.08
On 7 November Bev Milner (Vice Chair of EMNGPS) and Rohini Corfield visited Dunkirk Primary School, who had received an Outstanding Ofsted Report. The inspectors had commented on the exceptional leadership in the school, the exemplary community cohesion practice and the embedding of the international dimension and global perspectives into all aspects of school life resulting in an inclusive ethos and a school that pupils and parents are really proud of. Headteacher Jane Alford and Deputy Asima Qureshi reflected on the factors contributing to the school's success as a holistic learning community and identified the support provided by Bev Milner as International Dimension Consultant as a key ingredient. EMNGPS will document this school's learning as a case-study.
Global youth work trainer course
7.11.08
Earlier this year, Global Education Derby (GED) was successful in securing funding from the Department for International Development (DFID) in order to bring about an expansion in the scope and quality of global youth work carried out in the East Midlands region. The Global Youth Work Project East Midlands is a first attempt to produce a coherent regional approach to global youth work, making use of the specific expertise and stengths of the Local Authority and voluntary sector youth services along with higher education providers. As such the project has potential national significance.
One of the key objectives of the project is to develop and support a group of global youth work trainers drawn from across the 9 local authority areas in the region, both voluntary sector and local authority employed. The first stage in developing this group is to recruit participants to attend training delivered by De Montfort University which will be accredited for 15 credits at Masters Level. There are 15 places available on this course.
Following the completion of the course the newly accredited global youth trainers will be expected to get involved in the wider outcomes of the project, and will be supported by one of the project agencies in developing the global dimension within their own training practice and within the wider training development of their organisation.
The course fees have been covered by the funding from DFID, however, each candidate will need to fund their own transport to the venue along with accommodation if required. Should additional support with these costs be required please let me know as soon as possible. Additional support may be available if funding within the budget can be identified.
The International Education Office/Europe Direct Information Network are running primary French courses in Salignac in the Dordogne in May and June next year.
The courses cover French language and methodology and provide an opportunity to update knowledge of French culture. Funding to cover all travel, subsistence and course fees is available from the European Union Inservice Training Grants. The courses are open to teachers from across Europe but are geared for English teachers of primary French with a minimum of GCSE standard of French. The courses are not for beginners or French graduates.
Dates: Course 1: May 16th - 23rd Course 2: June 20th - 27th.
Course Programme: Full details are available on the EU course database then put in the course code of UK-2009-878-002. The application forms are not available just yet but they are asking teachers to register their interest with us as soon as possible as the closing date for funding will be January 16th. email: mary.wormington@gloucestershire.gov.uk
My World in 60 Seconds
29.10.08
The Geographical Association has teamed up with the BBC to create My World in 60 Seconds , a film project about creating an alternative guide to our world.
In order to represent the world as people know it, so They are looking for young people to make short films that are thought provoking, insightful and engaging. The best films could be shown on BBC Big Screens in cities throughout the UK and entries which meet the guidelines will appear online. The deadline for entries is 1 May 2009 and anyone aged 11-14 can submit a film.
Further information including promotional posters, entry forms and a press release can be found on the GA website
What's new on Dimsum.co.uk?
28.10.08
Dimsum, the British Chinese Community website includes:
Unlocking creative and commercial media opportunities in China , Wednesday October 22, 2008 British Museum , London . This one day event is your chance to hear leading figures in Chinese, UK and global media deliver tangible advice, guidance and best practice examples on how to create partnerships and facilitate mutually beneficial working relationships between media entities on both sides of the globe.
Countdown to the Final: Miss China UK 2008 Pageant
As the highly anticipated Miss China UK final is only days away, Pamela Yau talks with the organisers and contestants in the build up to the grand finale at the Lyric Theatre on October 5th.
Putting On The “Trix”: Miss China UK and Trixabelle Productions
Two best friends, their company, and Miss China UK 2008. Pamela Yau profiles Trixabelle Productions and the young British Chinese entrepreneurs who are making their mark on this year’s MCUK pagaent.
Size Zero Only
Is the Chinese obsession with size zero really just a beauty preference or is it just another form of female oppression? And before you dismiss this, a Dimsum reader reminds you of our history of foot-binding...
China in London
Glenn Watson appreciates an exhibition about the influence of Chinese culture on London at the City of London ’s Guildhall Library
Learn to Perform Chinese Opera
The vibrant Chinese musical-theatre forms of Kunqu and Jingju come to London again this Autumn in a 10-week course of evening workshops in Chinese Opera percussion and instruments held in SOAS.
Leicester, City of Sanctuary
20.10.2008
On 17 October 60 people from Leicester gathered at an event organised by Leicester City of Sanctary www.cityofsanctuary.com
Reverend Dr Nicholas Sagovsky, Canon of Westminster Abbey, and Sir Peter Soulsby, MP for Leicester South spoke about the findings of the recent Independent Asylum Commission (IAC) reports entitled Saving Sanctuary, Safe Return and Deserving Dignity. (see www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk) Based on the wide-ranging public submissions made at meetings across the country and via the internet, the IAC made 172 recommensations and are currently in dialogue with the UK Border Agency about how these could be implemented.
Questions afterwards led to discussion about:-
the concept of asylum and the concept of sanctuary
the role of the media in reporting issues
current strengths of the asylum system, and possible improvements
the needs of vulnerable people eg, children, people with disabilities, pregnant women etc
the right of asylum seekers to work accountability
The event had been a great success.
EMNGPS will continue to work with Leicester City of Sanctuary in promoting good community cohesion.
Derby's guidelines on global dimension
17.10.2008
Derby City, with the help of Global Education Derby have produced a Global Dimension Guidance document for their schools - Click here.
Leicestershire Matrix 2009 Applications
16.10.2008
Common Purpose are currently inviting applications for the forthcoming Leicestershire Matrix programme starting in March 2009.
As you are aware, Common Purpose is an independent organisation, which runs educational programmes for leaders from the private, public and voluntary sectors across the UK.
The Matrix programme is designed to give leaders the information, insights, competencies and networks they need to become better leaders. It is our ten-day programme (6 core days plus 4 optional ones) that takes place over the course of 5 months on a 2-day a month basis, starting in March and finishing in July.
Click here to find more information about the programme and apply directly online. Please note the start date for Leicestershire 2009 Matrix programme is 26th March 2009.
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact Nacho Galvez on 0116 254 0048.
Think Food and Farming
12.10.2008
The Year of Food and Farming Evaluation Report will be available for download at www.thinkfoodandfarming.org.uk from October 13th onwards. Here you will also be able to look at the research findings that detail the perceptions of children and young people about food, farming and the countryside, and also facts about participation in the Year by schools and organisations.
Thank you again for supporting the Year of Food and Farming by providing children and young people with learning opportunities linked to growing, cooking and visits to farms. There has been an overwhelming level of commitment and support from organisations and businesses over the past year, and so much has been achieved at a local, regional and national level. I do hope you will continue to support the legacy project, Think Food and Farming – visit www.thinkfoodandfarming.org.uk for further information.
'Make the Link, Be the Change’ Climate Change Education Project
09.10.2008
Plan UK and National Museums Liverpool have rolled out ‘Make the Link, Be the Change’, a global education project on climate change. The project will build on the award winning methodology developed in 2007 ‘Make the Link, Break the Chain’ project about the legacy of Transatlantic Slave Trade. 'Make the Link, Be the Change' aims to engage over 3,000 students in 12 countries over the next academic year and will dovetail with the Children in a Changing Climate work leading up to the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Plan UK have developed two schemes of work targeting 11-14 year olds (one mapped to the UK curriculum and one scheme for international participants). These 14 lessons provide the platform for learning and communication about the four key strands of climate change: impacts, adaptation, mitigation and advocacy. They have also developed a dedicated multilingual website for the project, accessible from www.planschoolslink.org.
All supplementary worksheets and issue files are accessible via hyperlinks to the www.plan-ed.org resource centre. The international syllabus is also translated into Spanish, French and Portuguese.
All the schemes of work include an outline of the project, FAQs for teachers, lesson plans, teachers’ notes and evaluation forms. The project will be evaluated by the Institute of Education, University of London.
Fifty UK schools have already signed up already and there is space for more. Countries involved: UK, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Senegal, Haiti, Ecuador, Brazil, El Salvador, Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia.
A professional development opportunity for teachers who are taking a lead role in supporting global learning and sustainable development in primary schools. Click here for more information.
Questioning Education
03.10.2008
these resources below for anti-bullying week 2008 may be of use and interest:
The DEA is underaking a series of consultations around England based on their new discussion paper, Questioning Education.
Do you have any views you wish to feed in?
The Questioning Education paper will be discussed at an EMNGPS event on 4 November - contact Rohini Corfield for further details.
these resources below for anti-bullying week 2008 may be of use and interest:
Bullying around Racism, Religion and Culture: how to prevent it, and what to do when it happens, web-published in 2006. It is 134 pages in length and 1.60 MB as a PDF. It can be accessed at http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/10444/6562-DfES-Bullying.pdf.
Watch the BBC 'Box' to find out about globalisation
01.10.2008
The Box is a unique year-long project for BBC News telling the story of international trade and globalisation by tracking a standard shipping container around the world. The container has been painted bright red with a BBC logo and has been fitted with a GPS transmitter so its progress can be followed on a map on the BBC website as it criss-crosses the globe. BBC correspondents will report on progress, as it arrives in ports in different continents and gets loaded and unloaded with different goods (it's currently transporting whisky from Scotland to Shanghai). The hope is that by the end of the year the website will show a unique snapshot of world trade and how it affects the lives of millions of people.
All the reports, including videos and pictures will be posted on a special 'The Box' section of the BBC News website, making a great learning resource for exploring issues of globalisation, trade and interdependence.
International Journal of Development Education and Global Learning - first issue now published
01.10.2008
This new international peer refereed journal publishes the outcomes of research and current debates on development education and related concepts such as global learning, global education and global citizenship.
The journal is an academic response to the increased public and educational interest in learning and understanding about the wider world. It offers greater understanding of the reasons for global inequality and how global issues such as poverty affect people's everyday lives. It critically explores international development issues so as to help people develop the practical skills and confidence to make positive changes, both locally and globally.
The journal brings to the international academic and research community a neglected but increasingly important area of knowledge. It aims to help advance theoretical and empirical understanding of development education and global learning by reporting and analysing research, policy, practice and current debate in the field. The content will reflect international debates and understanding of public support for global development issues. The Journal also carries book reviews, conference proceedings and reviews, retrospective analysis of activities in a particular field, critical commentaries on policy issues and comparative aspects of development education.
Published three times a year: October, February, June. Editorial correspondence should be addressed to Douglas Bourn, email: d.bourn@ioe.ac.uk. For subscription details, visit: www.trentham-books.co.uk
Conflict Children Campaign
01.10.2008
The weekly children’s newspaper First News has just launched the Conflict Children campaign in partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID) and Save the Children. Running over the next year, Conflict Children aims to involve every school in the UK. The campaign draws attention to the millions of children around the world affected by conflict, and calls for an end to the use of child soldiers. It will enable children in the UK to have a voice about issues that concern them, and to be heard by those with the power to make a difference.
For further information about the campaign, and a related education resource pack including a teachers’ guide, lesson plans, case studies, activity sheets, and a DVD with films from Save the Children in Democratic Republic of Congo and DFID in Afghanistan, visit www.firstnews.co.uk.
Leicester Advocates Fair Trade(LafT) Event
30.09.2008
On 26th September 2008, LaFT (Leicester advocating Fairtrade) launched their five year manifesto at Leicester College, Freemen’s Park Campus.
The manifesto sets out the vision for Leicester as a Fairtrade City, outlining the actions that LaFT would like to see happening in Leicester, through partnerships with others across the city.
Background – LaFT, the city’s Fairtrade action group wants to work with others to drive forward Leicester as a Fairtarde City. The overall aim is to increase awareness of and therefore use of Fairtrade products and resources.
Who will be involved – the manifesto will be a partnership between Leicester City Council, LaFT, Midlands Co-op, Leicester College, the Diocese of Leicester a number of other groups and associations in the city and some initial ‘champion’ businesses and organisations who will pledge their support to Leicester Fairtrade City aims.
Leicester Fairtrade City will also institute a pledge for individuals and organisations to sign to note their commitment to Fairtrade in Leicester.
One of their aims is to work with schools and young people to include Fairtrade issues within learning across the curriculum.
Sustainable Development course : The Gambia
30.09.2008
Click here for details of an exciting CPD opportunity for primary teachers in relation to the Sustainable Schools framework.
Comenius Regio Partnerships
19.09.2008
The Comenius Regio Partnership programme isa new EU funding programme for local authority linking across Europe. The overall aim of this programme is to promote cooperation between local and regional education authorities through joint activities and project work. Regio partnerships give educational authorities in different regions the opportunity to work together on areas of mutual interest. You can also combine existing activities in Town Twinning or other European educational programmes to further strengthen your regional links.
Regio Partnerships are based on one or more themes of interest to both partner regions and involve a whole range of possible activities which aim to enhance the European dimension of school education. Regio partnerships consist of two partner regions, each of which must involve a local authority with a role in school education, at least one school and at least one other relevant local partner. This local partner could be, for example, the local teacher training institution, a youth or sports club, local employers, a community organisation, parents’ and pupils associations, museums etc.
Click here for the latest issue of our RNIL newsletter.
NW Global Education on TV
18.09.2008
The film made about global education in the NW is going to be broadcast soon - details below. Please tune in! - and please tell teachers and others in your networks to have a look too.
Education Now! is a new television show intended for people who work in Higher and Further Education (colleges and universities) as well as anyone with an interest in these areas. This might include parents/caregivers and students of all ages.
The shows will feature news and views from the world of education and showcase the latest developments from colleges, universities and other educational bodies.
The film will feature for one week (Mon – Fri) 12.30pm & 18.30pm and a late night viewing at 00.30am on Sky 539 and Virgin TV 233 - week commencing 3rd November 2008.
East Midlands Food, Farming and Education
18.09.2008
EMFFE is building on the successes of The Year of Food and Farming which ran during the academic year 2007–8. Here in the East Midlands the year kick started lots of activities relating to Food and Farming in the region.
EMFFE will continue to support the activities of many organisations doing great work bringing Food and Farming to the classroom and getting the pupils out onto farms. Transport vouchers for trips to farms and food processing units, free seeds for growing projects, recipes with ingredients for cooking projects are some of the practical ways EMFFE can support.
EMFFE train Teachers and Farmers to communicate with confidence on rural issues and deal with the practical issues such as Health and Safety.
EMFFE brings the Countryside to a wider audience and attends public events offering “have a go “ activities so people have fun whilst linking landscape and farming with food and fuel.
There are many opportunities in the industry for exciting and rewarding careers. EMFFE can facilitate introductions to Farmers and Food Processors for work placements and information on careers paths.
EMFFE has stacks of resources and information to give out and a growing database of contacts which could be useful to you – all you need to do is ask as we are here to help. Tel: 01159 376812 Email: info@feastnet.net
Guidance on community cohesion now available on National Curriculum website
11.09.2008
The National Curriculum website has been updated to include guidance to help schools meet their new duty to promote community cohesion. Two case studies, "Controversy in the community" and "Increasing participation in PE" give examples of how real schools promote community cohesion through their curriculum.
The World Aware Education Awards are run by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in partnership with Irish Aid. They promote a vision: that one day, every young person in every school and youth organisation, in every country of the Council of Europe, will have access to education for global citizenship. The awards recognise that through partnership, networking and coordination, shared learning will achieve this vision more effectively. The award consists of a 1.500 euros prize, and 3 projects will be selected.
Eligible projects should be recently completed, existing or ready to implement; and shall
• have a strong element of networking, partnership and/or co-ordination;
• include goals related to the increase, improvement or integration of global education;
• focus on the implementation of global education in schools or youth organisations;
• include innovative approaches in their national context, and/or have the potential to influence global education nationally.
• have existing documentation outlining the project.
Reciprocal Visit grants are for young partnerships between schools in the UK and schools in an eligible Southern country that are working together to embed a global dimension in their curricula. They enable teachers to visit their partner school to plan joint curricular work with a global dimension. The Reciprocal Visit grant has been increased to £2,000, to be shared between the partner schools. More information can be found at: www.britishcouncil.org/globalschools .
A total of 209 applications for Reciprocal Visit grants were received in May, including 20 clusters. Grants were awarded to 160 applications (77%), representing 187 school partnerships. For the first time successful applications were received from schools with partnerships in Somalia, Vietnam and Indonesia.
The latest update on DGSP is that a new contract for the future management of the programme will be awarded later this year. The tendering process is drawing to a conclusion, and DFID hope to be able to make a further announcement shortly. In the interim, the current consortium partners will continue to deliver the programme and provide support to schools participating in the programme. They will also endeavour to ensure a smooth transition to the new contract. Schools will be notified in advance of all relevant transition arrangements, and any changes to the current procedures for submitting grant applications and reports.
Runnymede Trust Survey on the Duty to Promote Community Cohesion in Schools
11.09.2008
The Runnymede Trust is conducting a survey aimed at discovering the reality of the duty on schools to promote community cohesion and how it has affected those who work in local authorities and schools. The survey is deliberately brief, designed to be completed in less than ten minutes, and respondents’ answers will be kept confidential. The overall results of the survey will be analysed and reported at a national conference which Runnymede is planning to hold in December.
If you are working in local authorities or with schools and are interested in participating in this survey, click here.
Food for Life Partnership
11.09.2008
The Food for Life Partnership is a network of schools and communities across England committed to transforming food culture by revolutionising school meals, reconnecting young people with where their food comes from and inspiring families to cook and grow food. Schools can enroll and work towards achieving a Bronze, Silver or Gold Mark award. All schools enrolling online by filling in a short form will receive a free introductory pack with resources and guidance on the awards.
Togeher with the Local Authorities Catering Association, Caroline Walker Trust and Sustain, the Food for Life Partnership called on Government in June 2008 to implement "Six steps to transform school food culture". The report on how a school food culture revolution can beat obesity and tackle climate change is available on the website.
SoundAffects is a new charity working to enhance existing school twinning links with professionally recorded audio material, and is now working on plans to issue material on themed compact discs. Project leaders would welcome advice on suitable lesson notes, and help with marketing and so on, and would very much like to make contact with any development education organisations involved in producing school support materials.
United Kingdom Global Learning Association for Schools (UKGLAS) Meeting
10.09.2008
On 9 September 17 Local authority International Education Officers and 3 EES (Enabling Effective Support) Co-ordinators attended the UKGLAS meeting in London to discuss the following:-
what activities were planned to support schools with the new statutory Community Cohesion agenda
updates on Comenius and the International School Award online applications
the new British Council regional networks pages on Global Gateway - see www.globalgateway.org.uk/regionalsupport which give a snapshot of the support available to schools for embedding the international and global dimension
the new Comenius Regio programme , a new opportunity for local authority linking within Europe
The five East Midlands representatives all found the meeting informative and a useful networking opportunity and are considering applying for the Regio programme.
North South School Partnerships: Learning from Schools in the UK, Africa and Asia - new report
10.09.2008
The report presents the findings from research funded by DFID. In Year 1 the mandate was to explore the perceived impact of partnerships on schools, leaders, teachers and students. There is also some analysis about the types of schools engaging in partnerships, their characteristics, implementation and leadership strategies. Click here for the report.
Global Youth Work News
8.09.2008
Global Education Derby (GED) have accessed DFID funding to set up a Global Youth Work Project East Midlands (GYPEM). This project will build the capacity of youth workers to incorporate the Global Dimension in their work.The GYPEM and EMNGPS plan to work closely together so that the mainstreaming of the GD happens concurrently in the formal and informal education sectors.
Institute of Community Cohesion
5.09.2008
Rohini Corfield met with Professor Harris Beider, Academic Director at the ICoCo, based at Coventry University to explore how EMNGPS and iCoCo might work together in supporting schools meet their new statutory responsibility to promote Community Cohesion.
They discussed possible joint events, research, shared contacts and explored the possibility of learning about Community Cohesion work in education in other countries eg, Australia, European countries.
Lincolnshire School Improvement Service PSHE & Citizenship newsletter
4.09.2008
Click here for the latest Lincolnshire School Improvement Service PSHE & Citizenship newsletter.
Leicestershire County Council offers schools chance to attend Mashrikia performance
2.09.2008
Leicestershire County Council (LCC) are taking the opportunity to hold a performance of "Africa's Hope" by Mashirika - a youth performing arts company from Rwanda, at a community college in Earl Shilton, in September.
Mashirika is a Rwandan youth theatre group consisting of survivors from the Rwandan genocide. ”Africa's Hope” was developed in collaboration with the Aegis Trust and tells the story of the Rwandan genocide, its aftermath and Rwanda’s road towards a hopeful future. Through their performance, the group conveys sensitive issues in a theatre environment and challenges students to confront the tragic outcomes of prejudice, division and racism.
The performance has been extremely successful in previous visits to the UK, and is further endorsed by Leicestershire County Council, as it supports the Council's strategies around Community Cohesion and Equality and Diversity, as well as addressing issues relating to the Citizenships agenda in schools.
The audience will be largely made up of students . However, LCC are also inviting a number of schools from across the County to bring small groups of up to 15 students each to the performance, which lasts approximately one hour.
A Resource Pack for teachers will also be available via the Mashirika website, to help teachers to prepare students for the performance.
DEA press coverage
1.09.2008
DEA got into the news on Tuesday 26 August by commenting favourably on the fact that, from September, Britain's involvement in the slave trade is to be studied by all secondary pupils in England.
On the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan (which commences on Monday 1 st September), EMNGPS would like to wish you all Ramadan Mubarak. This is a time of great spirituality and also of community togetherness and celebration and we want to extend my warmest wishes to all, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
At this special time of year, principally for the purposes of those who are not so familiar with Ramadan, I’d like to flag up some useful websites which are a great source of information:
Are you involved in bringing people together from different cultures, helping to build tolerance and respect through activities such as sport, art and learning? Why not share your experience and celebrate your success by entering the ABCs.
The ABCs will reward grass roots, community and voluntary organisations for local schemes and projects that promote intercultural dialogue and understanding. It will also reward public and private sector organisations for initiating and supporting such schemes.
There are six weeks left in which to submit your application(s) for this year’s Awards, the deadline is Wednesday 1 st October 2008. If you would like to discuss eligibility of your project or scheme or need advice on completing the application form, please do not hesitate to contact the ABCs team, tel. 024 7679 5768, email awards@bridgingcultures.org.uk.
ABCs team have now announced their esteemed panel of judges who will identify winners and commendations for the 2008 Awards. They are also currently finalising plans for the 2008 Learning event and awards ceremony in November. Applicants will be invited to join them for a full and varied day of shared learning before an early evening awards ceremony and reception. The event will celebrate the achievements of the winners, commended organisations and all those who are delivering or supporting projects and schemes at grass roots level, to promote interculturality. Attendees will be offered an opportunity to showcase their project or scheme during the day. More information will be available on the ABCs website nearer the time.
A new edited text from the Centre for Global Education Belfast
19.08.2008
The Development Reader is a new edited text from the Centre for Global Education Belfast that aims to provide an introduction to key international development issues and the main trends in development policy and practice. The book provides expert analysis on a range of global issues including debt, trade, HIV, gender, child labour, migration and asylum. The contributors are a mix of academics, development non-governmental organisation (NGO) staff and development education pracitioners representing a rich and diverse range of perspectives on global issues. The book is aimed at learners and academic staff at third level, particularly in areas related to development issues such as Geography, Sociology, Politics, Human Rights and International Relations. Students taking modules or courses on development will find the book a useful introduction to key global issues while development NGO personnel can use the text to support their practice.
To order a copy of the Development Reader please email info@centreforglobaleducation.com. Please note that an additional £2 or €2.50 will be charged for post and packaging per copy. A full list of contributors and chapter titles is available at www.centreforglobaleducation.com.
DFID: Engaging young people with development issues
19.08.2008
EdComs, an independent research company, is undertaking an online survey on behalf of the Department for International Development (DFID) and would appreciate your participation. The survey is about the resources used or published, or activities undertaken to engage young people aged 11 to 19 with international development issues. It will take 10 minutes to complete and to show their gratitude for your participation, you will be entered into a prize draw to win a donation of £300 for your organisation. Please complete the survey by Friday 29 August 2008. Click here to complete the survey...
Consultation on GCSE Criteria for English, Maths and ICT
Organisers of the Year of Food and Farming have thanked everyone involved for all their work to make the year a great success.
"Since September 2007 nearly 3,000 organisations and businesses have come together to share activities and events, information and teaching materials with children and young people to inspire a greater interest in food, farming and the countryside.
As a result of this support we estimate that around 1,000,000 children have visited farms and places of food production (up from 680,000 in 2007) and that around 1,000 farmers are now trained (up from 600 in 2007). Over 660,000 children have been involved in growing activities (up from 260,000 in 2007) and around 23,000 schools have been involved in cooking activities.
Clearly, we could not have achieved so much in one short year without your commitment. There has been an overwhelming level of support from organisations and businesses, and so much has been achieved at a local, regional and national level that we want organisations to continue to develop and promote activities once the Year has formally ended.
Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) will take on the custodianship of Think Food and Farming from 1st August 2008. There will be a new website for the start of the new academic year in September 2008 at www.thinkfoodandfarming.org.uk. This will contain an up to date news section and highlight activities of relevance to schools. The Megamap and resource bank from the existing website will move to a permanent home at www.teachernet.gov.uk/growingschools.
As the Year is drawing to an end and to help inform future developments, we are undertaking a full evaluation of the Year of Food and Farming and seek your views as someone who has taken part in the Year. So if you are a farm or organisation that has taken part in the Year we would appreciate a few minutes of your time to fill in this questionnaire and if you could distribute the survey link to people you know who have contributed to the Year that would also be appreciated. The results of the Year of Food and Farming evaluation will be published in the autumn. Please continue to visit www.yearoffoodandfarming.org.uk for details of how you can support young people learning about food and where it comes from as part of the legacy of the Year."
For information about the legacy project please contact Corrina at FACE on 024 7685 3086 or at corrina.gibbs@rase.org.uk.
New funding for youth groups
14.08.2008
EMNGPS has recently received information about a new funding opportunity called The Lefèvre Trust, which awards up to £10,000 for reciprocal visits between the UK and France for groups of young people aged 11-19 working on a collaborative project.
All youth groups from the non-formal as well as the formal education sector are eligible to apply, such as youth clubs, music groups, sports teams, drama clubs, schools, extra-curricular groups etc. One of the Trust’s aims is to provide opportunities for young people who otherwise may not have the chance to participate in an international experience, so they encourage applications from disadvantaged or hard-to-reach groups and groups of children with SEN.
All youth groups are eligible, as long as they have a collaborative project with a French partner.
The Learning Equality Forum - a forum with an
interest in Learning, Skills and Vocational training has recently circulated a information on "The Diversity of Leicester, A
Demographic Profile". Download the booklet here.
British Council Eurodesk Newsletter
14.08.2008
Click here to download the August issue of the Eurodesk newsletter from the British Council. This contains news, events, information about Youth In Action and training within the EU.
Teachers for a Better world: Education for Sustainable Development/Global Citizenship in Initial Teacher Education
08.08.2008
How can we ensure that our new teachers can make a difference and contribute to a safer, more equal and sustainable world?
Foreword by Liz Jackson (WWF-UK) and chapters by Pip Mc Cormack, Julia Hope, Sally Inman, Joe Mintz, John Meadows, Maggie Rogers and Ros Wade.
Copies of this publication can be obtained from Alison Hatt, CCCI Administrator on 020 7815 8169 or at hatta@lsbu.ac.uk for £4.95 including postage and packing.
School Leader? Interested in a 12-week international development secondment?
30.07.2008
VSO has worked closely with colleagues in the NAHT (National Association of Head Teachers) and ASCL (Association of School and College Leaders) to develop a programme that provides benefits to senior educationalists - their staff and students - in both developing countries and here at home.
The National College for School Leadership announced their financial support of the scheme at their recent Annual Conference. This will enable up to 14 School Leaders to seek a secondment from their governors. The school of each successful applicant will be eligible for £5,000 which can be used to contribute towards cover supply/acting up costs. Find out more at www.vso.org.uk/partnerships/ncsl.asp#0
Updates on Community Cohesion
30.07.2008
The process for nominating projects and organisations for Awards for Bridging Cultures has now started. Nominations must be received by 1st October 2008. Find out more about the awards at www.bridgingcultures.org.uk
East Midlands Regional Assembly organised a conference to explore what behaviour changes were needed by East Midlands residents to reduce climate change. Rohini Corfield participated in the debates on behalf of EMNGPS. Click here to download the conference report and the practical strategies identified for personal and work-related behaviour change. Is there more you can do to change your behaviour?
New-look Global Dimension Website
30.07.2008
The Global Dimension website at www.globaldimension.org.uk has been radically refreshed, revised and relaunched.
Now fully owned and managed by DEA, with financial support from DFID, the site still has at its heart a fully-searchable database of teaching resources that bring a global perspective to lessons. The search facility has been upgraded, so users can easily browse through resources according to curriculum subject, topic or type of background material. And the site also benefits from a cleaner, fresher look and a new strapline: “The world in your classroom”.
All the supporting advice and information is still there, so as well as the books, films, posters and websites listed in the resources database, teachers can also find:
Background articles on topics such as climate change, debt, refugees, trade and water
The report of the School Linking in Action conference held on 30th June 2008 is now available. Download it here.
Teachers for a Better world
30.07.2008
"Teachers for a Better world: Education for Sustainable Development/Global Citizenship in Initial Teacher Education." How can we ensure that our new teachers can make a difference and contribute to a safer, more equal and sustainable world? Find out more about this new book, which includes a foreword by Liz Jackson (WWF-UK) and chapters by Pip Mc Cormack, Julia Hope, Sally Inman, Joe Mintz, John Meadows, Maggie Rogers and Ros Wade.
Geographical Association Planet Sport Website
14.07.2008
This brand new website links geographical themes such as regeneration, economic development and tourism with global sporting events. The Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games are looked at in detail, and the site also features sections on Sydney, Athens and the FIFA World Cup. Resources for the Paralympic Games and Euro 2004 will be added soon, and the website will host a variety of materials in the run up to London 2012. Visit the site at www.geography.org.uk/planetsport.
FILMCLUB
14.07.2008
FILMCLUB is a new service run by movie-lovers to introduce children to the wonder of films, by helping teachers and pupils form clubs in schools to show movies from every era and every corner of the world. FILMCLUB is free to most schools. Once you join, you can instantly start choosing movies from FILMCLUB's collection of 1600 titles. Simply pick which film you want to watch, order it and they'll deliver it to you.
All members are offered a full induction session with a FILMCLUB representative offering step by step instructions in how to set up a club. They also send FILMCLUB posters, postcards and membership cards to help promote FILMCLUB within the school. They offer support such as technical advice, information about certificates or just a tip on what you might want to screen next. Find out more at www.filmclub.org.
QCA are looking for schools working on sustainable development
14.07.2008
The DEA is working with QCA on a booklet to support the sustainable development element of the 'Global dimension and sustainable development' dimension of the new curriculum.
Some of the most important findings in the MORI research about the impact of global learning are tucked away in detailed analysis at the back of the report. The research shows that pupils who experience global learning at school are more likely to be open to those from different backgrounds, to understand that they can do things to make the world a better place and that what they do in their daily lives can affect those in other countries. The figures below show the number of students that agree with different statements, split by whether or not they have done different kinds of global learning. The data shows for example that:
81% of young people who have discussed problems from around the world which don't have any answers think there are things they can do to make the world a better place, compared to 62% of those who haven't engaged in such learning.
76% of young people who have discussed news stories from around the world from different points of view want to understand why there are problems in the world, compared to 55% of those who have not engaged in such learning.
63% of young people think it is a good idea to have people of different backgrounds living together in the same country when they have discussed what they can do to make the world a better place, compared to only 46% of those who have not had such discussions.
DEA's Questioning Education discussion paper and MORI report
14.07.2008
One in five English schoolchildren may be left 'globally illiterate' due to the failure to educate them about world events and equip them to live and work in a globalised world according to our new research report released today. Key research findings include:
1 in 5 young people have not discussed news stories from around the world at school
1 in 5 have not discussed problems from around the world
Only 50% of young people think it is a good idea to have people of different backgrounds living in the same country
Global learning is an effective solution to these issues - those who experience global learning at school are more likely to be open to those from different backgrounds, to understand that they can do things to make the world a better place and that what they do in their daily lives can affect those in other countries.
This marks the launch of DEA's groundbreaking programme of discussion and debate, "Our global future: how can education meet the challenge of change?" which will take place throughout 2008. Download the policy discussion paper Questioning Education. Download the full MORI report.
Global Education Leicester/shire has organised a Philosophy for Children Level 1 Training Course, which will take place at the Eco House, Western Park, Leicester on 4 and 5 September 2008. The course has been part-funded by the East Midlands Network for Global Perspectives in Schools.
Find out more about Philosophy for Children - download course details and a booking form.
The East Midlands Year of Food, Farming & Education officially ends July 2008
14.07.2008
The National Year of Food and Farming officially comes to an end in July 2008. Over 12,000 children in the East Midlands have taken part in growing or cooking activities or visited a farm and there have been lots of other fantastic projects happening in the region relating to the Year of Food and Farming. EMYOFF was made possible thanks to the investment made by the East Midlands Development Agency. Here in the East Midlands the response to the Year of Food and Farming initiative has been unprecedented; our pledges represent 48% of the national statistics. Sally Scantlebury, the year’s regional coordinator explained “An official evaluation has been commissioned and from this we are working with emda on a four year proposal to build on the strengths of the year and monitor the benefits to land based businesses, schools and the community.”
From Poverty to Power is a major new book from Oxfam International that argues that ending the scourges of extreme poverty, inequality, and threatened environmental collapse is the greatest global challenge of the twenty-first century. The best way to tackle them is through a combination of active citizens and effective nation states. Find out more at www.fp2p.org
Oxfam and School Leadership Project - Head teacher applications invited
19.06.08
EMNGPS has been developing an exciting School Leadership Project with Oxfam and we are now ready to start recruiting Head teachers from across the East Midlands region.
Please find the participant information and application form below. Note that the deadline for applications is 5pm, Friday 25 July.
New East Midlands Sustainable Schools website launched
18.06.08
The Schools Working Group of the East Midlands RCE (Regional Centre of Expertise)Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) regional network (www.rceem.org.uk) has launched a new website for schools which provides:-
information for each of the eight doorways in the Sustainable Schools framework enabling schools to start or improve work on sustainability across the curriculum, campus and community
a list of providers based in the region who can help deliver sustainability projects in an exciting and engaging way
a list of school best practice case-studies showing how schools are using the Sustainable Schools Framework to change practice
EMYOFF supports the Foods from Farm to Fork challenge
12.06.08
Education Business Partnership (EBP) Lincolnshire and Rutland and East Midlands Year of Food and Farming (EMYOFF) team up to launch Foods from Farm to Fork
Food Technology Teachers from Schools across Rutland, including Vale of Catmose, Uppingham Community College and Casterton Business and Enterprise College attended the launch of Farm to Fork at Barnsdale Lodge Hotel, Thursday 1st May. Farm to Fork is a competition aimed at Year 9 and 10 students, they must plan and prepare a main course and pudding for Primary School children, using locally sourced produce, with a budget of £2 per head. The final will take place on 21st November at Barnsdale Lodge Hotel, the judges will include most importantly children from the Primary feeder Schools, Jo Winterbourne, Senior Education Business Advisor, EBP, Sally Scantlebury, EMYOFF coordinator, Ed Burrows, Manager of Barnsdale Lodge Hotel, and a local celebrity (TBC watch this space!).
Local food specialists were represented at the launch by Jan McCourt of Northfield Farm, Bev Davis of Greenacre Farm shop and Trevor Pattinson of Hambleton Fine Foods, they offered their support to the schools, and gave ideas of how they could help the students with this project. Barnsdale Lodge have offered free use of their kitchen facilities for the final.
The Challenge was set by The Lincolnshire & Rutland EBP to encourage students in Rutland to think about where their food comes from and consider the benefits of locally sourced produce. Jo Winterbourne, Senior Education Business Adviser of The Lincolnshire & Rutland EBP commented “We are delighted to be involved in this challenge, especially considering that healthy eating and local produce is such an important issue at the moment. This challenge gives students the opportunity to evaluate how ethical their food is and also encourages a younger generation to think in the same way.
East Midlands Year of Food and Farming, have a wealth of information of local farmers and producers who will help the schools with the project, “We are excited about sponsoring this initiative” explained Sally Scantlebury, “The teachers are already planning how they can use our funding to facilitate this activity, they can arrange producer visits, plant their own vegetables and obviously practise preparing their menus”
What's new on Dimsum.co.uk?
12.06.08
Dimsum, the British Chinese Community website includes:
Upbringing - East or West?
Eastern upbringing in the western world. Eastern family values versus westernised family values. Are we captive of our upbringing? Lim Liang Ngoh writes.
Fun and Frolics
Huang Yong Ping, one of the most distinguished artists to emerge from China in the past two decades, creates a new installation - Frolic - at The Curve, Barbican Art Gallery. Admisson free!
Jackie Chan in Oxford!
Film star Jackie Chan spoke recently at Oxford University in aid of the Chinese earthquake relief. Glenn Watson was lucky enough to attend.
Chinese representation in British politics
In the United Kingdom, the Chinese community ranks low in the classification by ethnicity. There is a feeling, however, that even accounting for their small numbers in the overall population, the Chinese in Britain are under-represented in certain areas of British society and none more so than in politics. Dr Teck K. Khong writes.
Wild China
The BBC's natural history programmes are famed throughout the world. Now, in Olympic year, it's China's turn - with BBC2's major six part series, Wild China. Glenn Watson investigates.
Designer Dim Sum: Chic Chinese in Chinatown?
Todd Tran delves into the emerging trend of designer Chinese restaurants in where diners may least expect it - London's Chinatown.
School Linking, Global Citizenship and MFL - Conference 2008
03.06.08
MUNDI Global Education Centre in Nottingham is organising a regional event on 30th June 2008 for educational authorities and practitioners interested in learning about school linking and its possibilities for bringing a global dimension into the curriculum and teaching modern foreign languages, both key education policies in the UK.
We have managed to secure a very interesting line-up of keynote speakers and there will be stimulating workshops running throughout the day (see conference flyer). Please feel free to circulate this information as widely as possible among LEA officers, head teachers, teachers and trainee teachers. Do not hesitate to contact MUNDI should you require further information.
Projects development post - Tide~ global learning
03.06.08
Click here to view details of a Projects Development Post vacancy at Tide~ global learning
UN International Year of The Potato :Global Perspectives
27.05.08
Far from the plastic bag of potatoes you casually pick up at the local supermarket, the potato is, in fact, vital to the food security of hundreds of millions of people in the developing world. Almost 213 million tonnes of potato are grown to eat every year, making it the third most important food crop in the world.
Ofsted has just published a new report : 'Schools and Sustainability: A climate for Change' which summarises the challenges facing schools as they try and implement the Sustainable Schools Framework. Click here
Shoot Nations global youth photography competition
21.05.08
Organised by Plan, this competition is open to anyone aged 11–24 from anywhere in the world and gives young people the chance to express their opinions through visual communication – you do not need language or education to take or draw a picture. The 2008 theme is "Young People In A Changing Climate".
All you need to do is take three photographs or draw three pictures that capture the following:
1. How is climate change affecting your life?
2. Act now - be the change!
3. Your world in the future.
The best entrants will be in with the chance to win a trip to Quebec and be exhibited at the World Youth Conference as part of International Youth Day 2008. There will also be a UK exhibition of the images at the OXO Gallery in London.
UNICEF UK Youth Voice and MySpace are sponsoring a film competition to make a film about young people's rights. The videos are posted on MySpace, and the MySpace users rate them. The shortlisted videos are judged by UNICEF. The winner gets a digital camera, and the runner-up will get two free passes to the Showcomotion film festival in the UK. Applicants must be aged 14-18 and residents of the UK.
Pure Gold? is CAFOD's new photographic exhibition which reveals the truth behind the glamour of gold through striking images and accounts from three continents.
The exhibition opens in London on 21 May 2008 and then tours the UK.
The Peace Museum in Bradford has travelling exhibitions on five different peace-related topics available for free loan (plus mailing cost or free for pick up from Bradford). Each exhibition is made up of a series of full colour laminated panels which can be hung easily, plus accompanying notes and activities. Exhibitions include:
A Vision Shared: Examines art from the history of the peace movement and peacemaking activities over the 20th century.
My Country is the Whole World - Women Peacemakers: Examines women peacemakers and women's peace organisations in history and at present.
Champions of Peace - Nobel's Peace Prize, the First 100 Years: Examines the Nobel Peace Prize, looking at the individual winners as well as being a critical appraisal of the Prize itself.
Such a Journey: Examines what peace means to the people of Bradford through drawings, writings and poetry.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Examines the atomic bombing of the two Japanese cities, focusing especially on how people were affected.
‘Same Difference’ Global Children’s Art exhibition and website
21.05.08
Same Difference is an exhibition of children’s artwork from around the world run by overseas development charity International Service. The exhibition encourages children in to think about the lives of children in poorer countries by highlighting the similarities and differences between children globally. It has been seen by over 99,000 people around the UK since March 2007.
This project has been developed by the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, the Department of Children Schools and Families, and Amnesty International. It aims to support secondary schools to contribute to a culture of human rights in the UK.
As part of this project BIHR have produced a Key Stage 3 resource on human rights, developed to support the new citizenship curriculum, plus guidelines on how secondary schools can develop a whole school approach to human rights. These resources will be available shortly.
There will also be a series of free training sessions held in the following locations:
• Tuesday 3 June in Bristol
• Friday 6 June in London
• Tuesday 10 June in Coventry
• Tuesday 17 June in Newcastle
• Thursday 19 June in Leeds
Global citizenship has become a buzz word in recent years. New strategies and initiatives have been promoted to address this topic and teachers and trainees are encouraged to ‘bring the world into their classrooms’ by addressing global issues and perspectives related to social justice, interdependence, diversity, human rights, peace, and international and sustainable development. This represents a significant step in creating the educational opportunities for learners to be equipped to imagine and create a world beyond the levels of inequality we face today.
However, very often, approaches to global citizenship education in Europe address the agenda for international development in a manner that leaves assumptions unexamined and ignores how this agenda is re-interpreted in other contexts.
Not addressing these different readings may result in the uncritical reinforcement of notions of the supremacy and universality of ‘our’ (Western) ways of seeing, which can reproduce unequal relations of dialogue and power and undervalue other knowledge systems.
The aim of 'Through Other Eyes' is to address this perceived gap. A free online programme of study is being designed to enable educators to develop a set of tools that will help them to reflect on their own knowledge systems and engage with other knowledge systems (in their own learning or in their classrooms) in different ways.
The first (draft) set of learning activities are designed to enable learners:
- to develop an understanding of how language and systems of belief, values and representation affect the way people interpret the world
- to identify how different groups understand issues related to development and their implications for the development agenda
- to critically examine these interpretations – both Western and indigenous - looking at origins and potential implications of assumptions
- to identify an ethics for improved dialogue, engagement and mutual learning
- to transfer the methodology developed in the programme into the classroom context through the analysis and piloting of sample classroom materials.
Through Other Eyes is currently in a piloting and review stage. Visit the website if you would like to participate. The final version of the course should be available online by September 2008.
Annette Jarvis joins EMNGPS as Project Assistant
20.05.08
Annette Jarvis will be joining EMNGPS as the Project Assistant from 9 June working on a three day a week basis. Her role will be to support the EMNGPS Project Manager
(Rohini Corfield) to run EMNGPS effectively and efficiently by providing administrative support for meetings, diary management , assistance with financial reports and to help with event management.
" I am really looking forward to Annette joining EMNGPS and bringing her wide experience, skills and enthusiasm to our vibrant network" says Rohini.
Consultation invite for Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change for Schools (ND4S)
18.05.08
Following the success of the Nottingham Declaration[1] in helping to mobilise local government commitment on climate change (over 320 English councils are now signatories), efforts are now being made to develop similar commitments for other sectors, particularly where there is a justification for using the same successful ‘brand name’ .
In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, where there is a long history of environmental education, a new draft version of the Nottingham Declaration has been drawn up which is specifically aimed at schools. As with the original, this will be a voluntary statement of commitment by a school to its community that it will take action where it can to tackle the causes and effects of climate change. More details of the rationale are given over the page.
Before this is publicly launched, the partners involved want to consult a range of stakeholders to test the level of interest and potential support. Your views on the wording of the draft Declaration, the draft guidance and the support and monitoring that may be needed would be most welcome. Please follow the links on the following web page to access the relevant documents and reply using the questionnaire (6 questions only) by Monday 16 th June .
Please could you forward this email or the attached document to members of the relevant RCE East Midlands working groups. You are welcome to send any further comments or queries to: nottingham.declaration@collegest.org.uk
East Midlands Museums and Libraries reduce environmental impact
15.05.08
The MLA East Midlands and Renaissance East Midlands project, Green Museums, is designed to support East Midlands museums in reducing their environmental impact and to work with others to highlight environmental issues and actions that museums and their visitors can take as part of the solution, and there seems to be potential for museums as climate change champions.
The 2008 – 2009 Green Museums programme will include:
A benchmarking report for the region assessing the environmental footprint of all museums and the Renaissance East Midlands programme. This will record the actions museums have taken (including partnerships and activities), the barriers to environmental action and the support required for further actions to be taken. It will help to provide a regional environmental impact measure from which to improve and will identify good practice examples that can be disseminated.
A selection of up to ten museums in the region (a mix of sites geographically and in size terms) will receive one-to-one guidance to undergo a full environmental audit and then to develop an action plan including no cost, low cost and larger projects to reduce environmental impact.
There would be a small fund to support some of the measures proposed for each of the nominated sites.
A toolkit of advice and step-by-step guidance for all museums will be developed during the year, using the benchmark information, good practice from the sector and information from the exemplar sites. This toolkit will be as appropriate to small and large sites and will give ideas for actions of varying costs and that need varying levels of time to carry out. The aim will be that each site will be able to do something, even if that action seems small.
This project should be the first stage in a longer-term and wider reaching programme of work for the whole of Renaissance East Midlands to start in April 2009 (budget permitting).
BBC Competition to find Britain’s best young speaker
15.05.08
The BBC is embarking on a mission to find Britain's Best Young Speaker. This thrilling, once in a lifetime competition will be shown on BBC TWO early in 2009.
In this epic elimination show, thousands of 14 to 18 year olds will compete in a series of challenges that could take place anywhere in the world as they are coached by celebrity mentors.
They'll need passion, personality and confidence to succeed. Week on week they'll be put through their paces to test every aspect of their communication skills. As this competition nears its nail-biting and dramatic conclusion only one competitor will win the title of Britain's Best Young Speaker.
To get involved initially applicants are invited to upload a one minute speech to our website.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS AUGUST 1st 2008.
...you'll see a moving advert for a forthcoming documentary about three former street kids from Cape Town.
One of them (Samson) now resides at one of the partner organisations Coaching for Hope works with. They are planning to send him onto the next Coaching for Hope training course in Cape Town this June so that he can go back into his community and use football to empower and educate other former street kids.
Every person is unique but the tales in this documentary do echo the struggles faced by hundreds of thousands of youths across the world every day. The trailer thus gives a real insight into the unimaginable challenges faced by many of the young people we work with across Africa.
News from Leicester Make Poverty History
15.05.08
Please complete Leicester Make Poverty History's first ever online survey by clicking this link: click here . It should only take a couple of minutes.
At long last the website has been updated. At the same time we have shrunk it down to a more manageable size - one page. The intention now is only to update it with basic details of forthcoming events. Click here
See the attached leaflet about Mors bags. Mors bags are made out of old material and groups, after making the bags, go out and swap people's plastic carriers for reusable cloth bags. It's incredibly successful with groups around the world and two in Leicester. If you're interested in getting involved in any way, do get in touch with Rosie, who's running the group. Click here
Addendum to the minutes from last time: the date for the Braunstone Carnival is July 5th.
MUNDI secures DFID funding
13.05.08
Two Notts projects are among 26 new schemes to share £5.5m of Government funding.
The Global Education project to improve the skills of youth workers will receive more than £250,000 and MUNDI Global Education Centre will receive almost £245,000 over three years.
The money for the youth workers will be used to help develop young people's understanding of issues like social justice and equality.
Youth worker Paul Race, of Beeston Youth and Community Centre, has already taken part in the Global Education training.
He said: "It was excellent and offered a range of ideas to kick-start activity. In the summer we are planning a football tournament between young Ugandans who are visiting the county and young people from Chilwell and Toton.
"The theme will be 'give the globe a sporting chance' and we hope to highlight that in many parts of world, youngsters can't afford a football, never mind a kit or lessons. However, the young Ugandans coming over are actually world champions in their age group!"
MUNDI is a charity based in the School of Education at the University of Nottingham. The money will give pupils in ten special educational needs schools across Notts the chance to develop international links with schools in developing countries.
It aims to give pupils, parents and teachers a chance to learn more about the everyday lives of those living in other countries.
Lisa Young, fund-raiser at MUNDI, said: "Without this funding we wouldn't have been able to get this vital project off the ground.
"We'll be inviting suitable schools to attend a launch event before the summer holidays so they can apply to take part in the project."
The money comes from the new Development Awareness Fund to aid projects aiming to help more people fight global poverty.
Sustainable Schools Coordination - Invitation to Tender
African development charity SOS Sahel UK seeks a dynamic and committed Fundraising Intern to join its small team.
You will be responsible for helping us increase our income from individuals, trusts and community groups as well as communicate our message to a wider public.
This new internship is an opportunity for a capable, creative and motivated graduate to gain hands-on work experience in fundraising and marketing with increasing responsibilities. A short overseas trip is included, giving you exposure to project work at the grassroots. Help us develop our fundraising reach and see for yourself the impact this has on our work in Africa.
The right candidate will be a self-starter with relevant voluntary or work experience, a keen interest in raising funds for charity and a passion for international development. Previous knowledge of fundraising would be an advantage.
The EES network in the North West (NWGEN - NW Global Education Network) were asked to produce a film about teaching the Global Dimension for the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT)conference.
Entitled 'Building the 21st Century School - Department for children, schools and families (DCSF)', the film looks at the work of our schools and how they play a central role in helping children achieve their potential and enjoy their childhood. The 21st century school's distinctive contribution is in excellent teaching and learning where young people develop confidence, self-respect and respect for others, learn about teamwork and leadership and about responsibility and successful relationships.
Project Officer - Energy Central EU funded project
07.05.08
The Leicester Masaya Link Group are currently recruiting for a part time fixed term post.
PROJECT OFFICER / RESEARCH ASSOCIATE ON EU/FCO-FUNDED COOPENER PROJECT
ENERGY CENTRAL: STRENGTHENING MUNICIPAL ACTION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY IN CENTRAL AMERICA
A seven month part-time post is available from 1st June 2008. The salary will be £1,993.61 per month for a total of 103 hours per month.
The project addresses the non-technical barriers affecting the spread of renewable energy technologies in Central America.
Duties of the post include editing and translation work, formal report writing, the organization of a symposium in Guatemala in October 2008 and writing funding applications.
Deadline for applications Wednesday 21st May with interviews in the week beginning 2nd June 2008.
There will be a Co-operative Young Film makers event in Nottingham on Saturday 31st of May. The event is for young people 21 and under and is from 10.30am -2pm and includes lunch.
This is an exciting opportunity for you and any young people you may know to make a film and see it on the big screen!
Each year the Co-operative Young Film-Makers Festival shows 100 films on the big screen at the National Media Museum in Bradford – and yours could be one of them. The festival will be held on the 9th & 10th of October this year with deadlines for entry June 28th 2008.
This year we want even more entries from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and therefore would like to invite you to a FREE FILM-MAKERS PREMIERE being held locally on Saturday 31st May 2008 from 11am till 2pm at The Savoy Cinema, 233 Derby Road, Nottingham.
We will roll out the red carpet for aspiring young film-makers and we will screen a selection of last year’s films.
The event aims to inspire young people (21 and under) to make a film and submit their entries, by showcasing last year’s successful entries.
There will also be an opportunity to learn about practical techniques of film-making and useful advice from our film making experts, who also judge the films in the festival.
Lunch will be provided – glamour and glitz is optional!
The closing date for bookings is 28th May 2008 and places are limited, so I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please do pass this information on to any students, or groups that you think may be interested in attending.
If you would like any further information or have any queries please contact me either by telephone on 07738135069 or by email at pinky.badhan@co-op.co.uk.
Please also view the Bradford Film festival flyer, click here.
Recruitment, Selection and Training Officer vacancy at Skillshare International.
02.05.08
Skillshare International currently has a staff vacancy within the Human Resource Team as follows:
Recruitment, Selection and Training Officer
Type: Permanent and full-time
Location: Leicester
Salary Scale: £24 468 gross per annum + employer contribution to pension (10% of gross annual salary).
Reference: RSTO
Skillshare International’s development worker programme places skilled volunteers with
partner organisations in Africa and Asia. We seek someone to manage the recruitment,
selection and training of development workers and provide support and advice to human
resource activities across the organisation.
To apply, please go to www.skillshare.org to download an Application Pack alternatively
please email info@skillshare.org quoting the reference “RSTO” in the subject line or phone
+44 (0) 116 257 6616. Please note that we do not accept CVs.
The closing date for applications is noon on Wednesday 21st May 2008. Interviews will be
held in Leicester on Wednesday 4th June 2008.
Information you supply on the application form will be stored in accordance with the Data
Protection Act of 1998.
Ideas to mark Europe Day (9 May) and European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008
01.05.08
Newsletter of the SALTO Cultural Diversity Resource Centre 04/2008
In the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue and Europe Day on the 9th May just to come we are very pleased to send you the latest issue of our newsletter! In 2008 the SALTO Cultural Diversity Resource Centre organises more training courses and activities than ever before.
Your SALTO Cultural Diversity- Team
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE:
Cross Community Training Course
Roma Round Table
EMpower Training Course
Information leaflets in minority languages
SALTO assistant vacancy
Cross Community Training Course
During the first week of April 2008 we cooperated with the Nordic Agencies on a training course for youth workers Stockholm , Sweden . It aimed to increase awareness about the benefits of cultural diversity and how the Youth in Action programme can be used for developing cross-community youth projects. To read more about the background of the course and to see how the 25 participants evaluated their development after the training course, please visit our website and click here.
Roma Round Table
Only a few days later on the 7th and 8th of April 2008 a Roma youth round table was organised in cooperation with the Hungarian National Agency. The meeting regarded Roma youth participation within the Youth in Action programme. In attendance were more than 20 Roma youth organizations from twelve different European countries.
After the meeting participants determined the Roma youth needs and SALTO team specified that there is a lack of information for the Youth in Action programme towards the Roma youth people. A better connection and communication will be necessary between the Roma communities and the National Agency structure to facilitate their participation and inclusion in the European Union.
At the moment, SALTO Cultural Diversity Resource Centre continues working on the outcomes from the Roma youth meeting. We are in a research process with the National Agency structures in order to have a better understanding of Roma youth problems and needs. We hope to strengthen Roma youth access into Youth in Action programme and to create better cooperation between National agencies and Roma youth people in the European countries.
EMpower Training Course
Currently we are also organising the EMpower Training Course that is designed to support young women with an Ethnic Minority background (refugees, diverse minority groups, immigrants, etc.) and how the European Youth in Action programme can be used as a tool in a pathway to emancipate and empower these young women, developing leadership skills and competences. For this occasion the SALTO Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Resource Centres joint forces again and work in cooperation with the National Agencies for the Youth in Action of Denmark and the UK . For further information please visit our website and click here.
Information leaflets in minority languages
As a kind of follow-up project on the recurrent themes of this years training courses - Intercultural Dialogue - the SALTO Cultural Diversity Resource Centre aims to increase the use of the European Youth in Action Programme in the work with ethnic minorities in Europe. In order to reach this aim, we would like to create leaflets in Minority Languages in Europe: place about the YiA Programme.
Those leaflets are a good way to support people working with youth from an ethnic minority background multiplying the Youth in Action programme and exploring its possibilities & benefits. By including a section about the basics of how to run projects (defining, planning, implementation, evaluation and financial support) we also want to foster the development of project management skills that are necessary for organising substantial projects.
SALTO assistant vacancy
After more than 2 years working with us, Monomita Nag-Chowdhury is leaving the SALTO Cultural Diversity Resource Centre, having got a promotion to work on youth development projects in the rest of the world. The second post in the SALTO Cultural Diversity Resource Centre will be available to external candidates who have residency in an EU country. It is advertised in The Guardian ( www.jobs.guardian.co.uk ) from today. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 14th May 2008. If you are interested and meet the required demands, please send us your application.
On our website you can download information regading British Council application policies.
SALTO Cultural Diversity Resource Centre - Who are we? The SALTO Cultural Diversity Resource Centre is one of eight SALTO Resource Centres which have been established by the European Commission to support the implementation of the 'Youth in Action' programme in different priority areas. SALTO stands for Support, Advanced Learning and Training Opportunities.
SALTO offers support and training for 'Youth in Action' National Agencies and organisers of 'Youth in Action' programme projects. We offer a variety of tools and services for trainers and youth workers all over Europe , such as a European database of trainers, European Training Calendar, Toolbox of training tools and various Newsletters. For more information, please consult www.salto-youth.net or write us an email at: diversity@salto-youth.net
PLEASE FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER TO ANY PERSONS, ORGANISATIONS OR NETWORKS THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED.
NOTE: THE SALTO CULTURAL DIVERSITY RESOURCE CENTRE TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY OTHER ACTORS OR THEIR TERMS FOR PARTICIPATION ANNOUNCED THROUGH THIS NEWSLETTER.
Refugee Week Drama Opportunity
01.05.08
An opportunity has arisen for a drama practitioner to deliver part of an exciting week-long project for Refugee Week with Leicester Arts and Museums Services.
Every year Arts and Museums Services host Refugee Week at the Guildhall with a week of activities for schools. The week is 16th - 20th June this year. Each day two classes of year 4 - 6 children (from different schools) come to the Guildhall for a day of learning and fun exploring issues around Refugees and Asylum Seekers.
We run three workshops: Art (making giant collaborative masks inspired by the Museums mask collection and prompted by 'Refugee Boy' by Benjamin Zephaniah), Music/Poetry (working around themes of bullying using drums and voices), and Drama which has been run in several different ways (using the real life experiences of a Leicester refugee to create freeze frame drama was one example). Each child will take part in two out of the three workshops, so numbers in a workshop are around 24, and the workshops last for one and a quarter hours. The creative practitioner/s would deliver two workshops during the day with a short break for lunch. At the end of the day there is a showcase in which all the children show what they have created during the workshops. The whole day runs from arrival around 9.45am to leaving at 2.30pm.
We are looking for a drama practitioner/s to run the drama workshops for the whole week. If you would like to express an interest or discuss the project further, please contact:
Linda Harding
Arts and Museums Outreach Officer Linda.Harding@leicester.gov.uk
Tel. 0116 2527366 or 0116 2714754 (evenings)
Think Global! Get your free Guardian teaching supplement
28.04.08
Get your free teaching supplement sponsored by DFID with today’s Guardian
Over the coming year, curriculum changes across schools in the UK will develop pupils’ understanding of how actions at home and abroad affect the wider world.
To find out what this means for teachers and students, please see this special eight-page supplement:
World leaders have promised that all children will have a primary education by 2015 but with only 7 years to go:
- there are still 72 million children who miss out on education completely;
- the majority are girls;
- half live in areas affected by war and conflict;
- over a third have a disability.
Millions around the world have joined the Global Campaign for Education to make sure that world leaders keep their 2015 pledge.
The Global Campaign for Education is calling Global Educators to get their schools involved in the Global Action Week, April 21st-27th. By engaging your students and colleagues you will be encouraging them to be Active Global Citizens, campaigning with others around the world for a right to education for everyone.
The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) is a coalition of child rights activists, teachers’ unions and development organisations fro around the world, united in their determination to make the right to education a reality.
VSO are part of the GCE coalition and information about the week can be found at www.vso.org.uk. Email ger.admin@vso.org.uk to let VSO know your plans and how they can further support you.
Understanding and Appreciating Muslim Diversity:Towards Better Engagement and Participation
22.04.08
On 16 April 2008 Rohini Corfield attended the launch of the new publication (title above) at Regent's Park Mosque produced by the Institute of Community Cohesion .
Key issues raised were:-
The levels of superdiversity experienced in England, with over 300 languages spoken in London and upto 50 in market towns across the country.
The heterogenity of the Muslim communities in Britain - drawn from different countries and many ethnic and cultural traditions.
The new publication provides a baseline of the diversity of Muslim communities in Britain and suggests how public and voluntary sector organisations can build partnerships with Muslim communities.
Challenges faced by Muslim communities in the light of 9/11 and 7/7.
The role of community leaders - gatekeepers or gateways?
The representation of Muslim communities on public bodies.
Case studies of how such baseline mapping can help the police in Bolton to reduce tension.
Please contact Rohini if you would like to borrow the publication.
Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change for Schools consultation
21.04.08
Following the success of the Nottingham Declaration in helping to mobilise local government commitment on climate change (over 320 English councils are now signatories), efforts are now being made to develop similar commitments for other sectors, particularly where there is a justification for using the same successful ‘brand name’.
In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, where there is a long history of environmental education, a new draft version of the Nottingham Declaration has been drawn up which is specifically aimed at schools. As with the original, this will be a voluntary statement of commitment by a school to its community that it will take action where it can to tackle the causes and effects of climate change.
Before this is publicly launched, the partners involved want to consult a range of stakeholders to test the level of interest and potential support. Your views on the wording of the draft Declaration, the draft guidance and the support and monitoring that may be needed would be most welcome. Please follow the links on the following web page to access the relevant documents and reply using the questionnaire (6 questions only) by Monday 16 th June. www.emra.gov.uk/nottingham-declaration
EMYOFF Spring News
21.04.08
The East Midlands Year of Food, Farming & Education Spring newsletter is now available - contents include: Getting to know your Farmers and Food Producers, Farmers in the Classroom, FREE seeds for all schools... in the East Midlands and much more!
Download the East Midlands Year of Food, Farming & Education Spring newsletter. Click here
Meeting of Schools' Minister, Jim Knight at LSBU
21.04.08
I would like to encourage you to attend this forthcoming meeting with the School's Minister On ESD and schools at London South Bank University on 1st May. It will be an opportunity to put questions to him and make representation. It would be good to have LaSER GD members there to give an articulate voice!! Please see attached for details.
Programme Director EFS at LSBU
21.04.08
Glenn Strachan will shortly be leaving LSBU (London South Bank University) and so they are encouraging applications for the post of Co Director. Please contact Ros Wade, wader@lsbu.ac.uk
Oxfam's new TV ad - watch it now!
21.04.08
Education officer - Science, job at Practical Action
Practical Action’s Disappearing Lands project in Bangladesh addresses the development needs of people who have been displaced by river erosion.
It recently won a gold award from the Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development. For details read here www.practicalaction.org/rivererosion. For information on the Education officer - Science post click here.
GREENWEEKS
Greener Greater Nottingham
Three Weeks of Great Events to Celebrate Sustainability
Saturday 24 May – Sunday 15 June
The Greenweeks programme of events returns for its fourth consecutive year and there’s already a great deal of interest being expressed, including from a number of schools and businesses. The theme for the year is LOCAL ACTION featuring more practical demonstrations and workshop based activities. Greenweeks is more than an events programme, it is a growing community of committed people who want to share their own achievements and learn from others, in the interests of collective progress towards a low carbon, sustainable future.
Greenweeks is a diverse partnership of individuals and organisations that come together each year to promote and celebrate a wide range of projects and initiatives that are making our citiy, conurbation and county cleaner, greener and healthier. They do this by putting on over 100 events throughout Nottinghamshire in partnership with a wide variety of local groups, charities, businesses and councils.
See the website www.greenweeks.org for details of events/to register an event, and Greenweeks’ aims, partnership, way of getting involved, and much more.
Community Cohesion - Good Practice
The Institute of Community Cohesion would be very interested to find out more about the work that you have been doing in or with Schools and any examples of Good Practice Case Studies. They have recently facilitated and delivered nine conferences on the new Duty to Promote Community Cohesion.
The Institute of Community Cohesion website contains a wide range of information and resources (including toolkits) on community cohesion. As part of the work that they are currently undertaking, they will be developing a web based resource specifically aimed at Schools and Education which will be available on their website, after Easter 2008. This will contain advice and good practice to provide ongoing support to schools to implement the New Duty.
The Institute would welcome your support and input in ensuring that this resource best meets your needs. In particular they are keen to receive examples you have of cohesion projects and/or activities that are taking place in your school/Local Authority. Click here for a 'Good Practice' pro-forma document for you to complete and return to: Annette Hay at: a.hay@coventry.ac.uk or Alveena Malik at: alveena.malik@googlemail.com by Thursday 10th April. At this stage, they only need a brief description of each project. When you return the completed form, could you also indicate to the Institute that they have your permission to use the case study/studies on both the DCSF (Department for Children, School and Families) and iCoCo websites.
If you have any documents/websites etc, you could email to support your case studies, that would also be very much appreciated.
UNESCO’s online forum on Inclusive Education
UNESCO is organising an online discussion forum from 1-30 April 2008 on the theme of Quality Education to End Exclusion. Sign up now!
The Organisation is holding the month-long forum in support of Global Action Week 2008 (21-27 April). Quality and inclusion are key factors in attaining Education for All, UNESCO's top priority.
City of Sanctuary are holding their first Annual General Meeting on Thursday 1st May 2008 at the Central Library on Belvoir Street Leicester. Refreshments will be available from 5.30pm, and the meeting will start at 6pm. At this meeting we will be electing a Management Committee to guide the development of Leicester, City of Sanctuary for the next 12 months, and we will be officially adopting our Constitution. If you are able to attend the
meeting please RSVP as soon as possible!
The Management Committee will be made up of: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, up-to 6 Members elected at the AGM, and up-to 5 co-opted Members who will join during the year - if you would like to stand for any of the 10 positions being elected on May 1st please contact Gill Buttery by the deadline of Friday 11th April 2008, enclosing a personal statement of a maximum of 100 words, giving details of your interest in, and experience for, taking Leicester, City of Sanctuary forward as part of the Management Committee. If you would like more information regarding the responsibilities and commitment required for any of the roles please get in touch.
Voting at this first AGM will be open to all those who attend the 1st May meeting - please note, in future years voting rights will be limited to those who have made a commitment to the aims and objectives of Leicester, City of Sanctuary by signing and returning a copy of the pledge.
Following a very enthusiastic 1st meeting of the City of Sanctuary fundraising group on 17th March we will be meeting again on Thursday 3rd April 2008 at 6.30pm, at the British Red Cross building at 244 London Road - if you would like to get involved in planning an event for later this year please come along and join us!
At the meeting it was mentioned that the response to the recent appeal has been amazing and that the 'cupboard' was looking a lot fuller than it has for a while, so many thanks to all those who took the time and made the effort to drop off items to the British Red Cross - but obviously as there is an ongoing demand for 'food parcels' we need to maintain the flow of donations so please continue to be as generous as you have been!
Attached is an updated list for circulation - the current urgent needs include: cooking oil; nappies, dried milk and jars of food for babies; cutlery, crockery, pans, cooking utensils (including tin openers) for basic 'starter kits'; and sleeping bags and t-shirts for those who have to sleep on the street.
Sometimes we/BRC are offered 'large/bulky' donations, for example: 20 pallets of nappies, which we are unable to accept due to a lack of storage space, so we are also urgently trying to find one or more
'storage' sites somewhere around Leicester/shire - whether that's a secure shed, a lock-up garage, an empty shop, a unused warehouse or something bigger! - if you know of anywhere which might be suitable and available free-of-charge / very cheaply please let us know.
The Department of Health and Social Care - Royal Holloway, University of London - is an inter-disciplinary department including Sociology, Criminology and Social Work. We have a number of research scholarships available for September 2008 entry, and would welcome applicants who are interested in pursuing doctoral research in any of the areas listed below.
Full-time entry is preferred, although we would welcome applicants on a part-time basis.
Criteria: candidates are expected to have a good first degree (first or 2:1); and/or a Masters qualification in the Social Sciences. If you would like to be considered, please complete the online registration form giving the title of your chosen PhD (from the list below) together with the name of the supervisor(s); and send a copy of your cv – online form is available click here.
Deadline: 30 April 2008
For further information, please contact Professor Ravinder Barn, Director of Graduate Studies, r.barn@rhul.ac.uk ; 01784-443678 (Dir)
PhD 1: An exploratory study of racial and ethnic identity development in mixed-parentage adolescents in multi-racial Britain
Supervisors: Professor Ravinder Barn, and Dr Vicki Harman
This PhD study seeks to explore racial and ethnic identity development in mixed-parentage adolescents in two types of settings. These will include long-term foster families and birth families. By focusing upon racial and ethnic socialisation experiences, the proposed study aims to build upon previous research which has documented issues and concerns facing mixed-parentage young people in the public care system (Maxime 1993; Barn 1993; Barn, Sinclair and Ferdinand 1997; Thoburn, Norford and Rashid, 1998, Robinson 2000) and those in the community (Wilson 1987, Tizard and Phoenix 1993; Ghuman 1996, 2000). It is hoped that an identification of risk and protective factors may play a useful role in the development of policy and practice in child and adolescent welfare.
PhD 2: Pakistani Adolescent Boys and Problematic Drug Use: A Study of Risk and Protective Factors
Lead supervisor: Professor Ravinder Barn
Research into the nature and extent of substance misuse amongst minority ethnic groups in general, and minority ethnic young people in particular remains negligible. Whilst there is some evidence of under-utilisation of drugs services (Pearson and Patel 1998), and attitudes towards drug use (Karlsen et al 1998, Khan et al 1998), little is known about the circumstances under which minority ethnic young people may turn to drugs, or the implications of such drug use for policy, practice and provision.
This PhD study seeks to examine problematic drug use amongst Pakistani youth (16-20) in the borough of Slough . The following aims shall be explored:
To understand risk factors related to the problematic use of drugs by Pakistani adolescent boys.
To identify factors which may protect adolescent Pakistani boys from problematic drug use.
To develop a demographic profile of young people regarding personal and family background, education and health histories.
To identify the range of drugs used by Pakistani young people; and to distinguish between experimental drug trying and more regular and sustained ‘recreational’ drug use.
To explore understanding and knowledge of drugs information and drug services.
To establish young people's perceptions of drug prevention services.
PhD 3: The Impact of Violence on Child Protection Workers.
Supervisors- Professor David Denney and Professor Jonathan Gabe
Previous research has shown how child protection workers tend to communicate with the least threatening actors in complex child protection situations. Self protective responses can lead to misunderstandings in this difficult highly charged situations while also compromising the safety of the child. Social workers have been described as applying the ‘rule of optimism’ to child protection cases whilst failing to elicit the views of children in high risk situations. Some research suggests that social workers often avoid interactions with men who they can find threatening as a group, while at the same time over-scrutinising women. The avoidance of men shapes all aspects of child care practices including referral investigation, intervention, care proceedings and long term fostering and assessments. The research carried out by this research student will seek to establish whether prior knowledge of potential violence in families where domestic violence has an occurred creates a context of fear which could shape the nature of professional interactions. This could exclude potential perpetrators from the execution of professional decisions. Selective communication fear and possible avoidance of threatening situations is so entrenched that it could shape the culture of professional child protective practices.
PhD 4: The Gendered Experiences of Nurses Migrating to the UK .
Royal Holloway Supervisor- Professor Jonathan Gabe
International nurse migration to the UK has increased substantially in recent years and is now considered a routine and integral part of the UK ’s health care recruitment and retention strategy for addressing actual and projected shortfalls. Previous research on overseas nurses in the :placeUK has focused on their motives for migrating, primarily in terms of individual push-pull factors. However this approach has ignored historical and geo-political influences and also the importance of social networks, which have been identified as a major source of support for migrant workers. Other researchers have considered the work experience of migrant nurses, especially the possibility of deskilling and insecurity, and whether they have experienced personal or institutional racism. However what is missing from this body of work is consideration of the gendered nature of nurse migration and its consequences for the nurses themselves and their families. The study proposed here will address this issue and will consider the extent to which gender, as well as other social divisions such as race, have shaped the experience of migrant nurses in the UK.
Platform 2 with Christian Aid
Christian Aid have just launched a branch new scheme, Platform 2. Funded by DFID (the government Department for International Development) and run by Christian Aid along with BUNAC and Islamic relief Platform 2 is a 3 year project to send over 2,500 young people overseas.
It is open to anyone aged 18-25 when they fly out and is aimed at people who wouldn’t normally be able to afford a gap year (if a family gets tax credits or they got a grant to university they are likely to be fine to apply). The people who go on the scheme will spend 10 weeks working in groups of 10-15 along with members of the local community of development projects that will really make a difference. When they come back they will also have a three day residential where we will help them explore what they have experienced and put it into something they can use to inspire others to make a difference in the world.
Sound fantastic – well it is, the schemes that are set up so far in Ghana, Peru and South Africa are really inspiring and will give people a great opportunity to experience living overseas first hand. And to make it even better it’s FREE. Yes that’s right free, flights food, accommodation, briefing and post trip residential are all included. The only thing people have to pay for is the travel to the airport.
This scheme is running over three years so there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved, however there are still spaces on the June departure trips. If you know anyone who fits the profile and would like to spend their summer break in Ghana or Peru, then please do let them know about this and encourage them to apply. More information can be found at www.myplatform2.com.
The UK Association for European and International Education in Schools Conference
The 2008 conference will be held on Thursday 26th (12.30 PM) – Friday 27th (12.00) June 2008 at the Cardiff Hilton Hotel and will focus on two themes which were chosen by UKAEIES members as being of particular concern to those with responsibility for global or international education.
The publication by the QCA of The Global Dimension in Action - a Curriculum Planning Guide for Schools in November 2007 has given members opportunities to include this document as part of their professional development programmes. The first part of the conference will enable participants to exchange successful training methodologies. We will also work together on the agenda and activities for a training day, focussed on this document, which participants will be able to take away from the conference and adapt for use in 2008/2009.
The DCSF Community Cohesion Policy supports schools which make local links and may use these as a foundation for school partnerships abroad. The conference will feature an input from Angie Kotler from the School Linking Network who is working with the DCSF on this initiative. This will provide us with ideas for planning local links in our own authorities.
Call for case studies from the Institute of Community Cohesion
The Institute of Community Cohesion would be very interested to find out more about the work that you have been doing in or with Schools, and any examples of Good Practice Case Studies would be extremely helpful. The Institute have recently facilitated and delivered nine conferences on the new Duty to Promote Community Cohesion and would like to take this opportunity to direct you to their website www.cohesioninstitute.org.uk which contains a wide range of information and resources (including toolkits) on community cohesion. As part of the work that the Institute are currently undertaking, they will be developing a web based resource specifically aimed at Schools and Education which will be available on their website, after Easter 2008. This will contain advice and good practice to provide ongoing support to schools to implement the New Duty.
The Institute would welcome your support and input in ensuring that this resource best meets your needs. In particular they are keen to receive examples you have of cohesion projects and/or activities that are taking place in your school/Local Authority. Click here for a 'Good Practice' pro-forma document for you to complete and return to: Annette Hay at: a.hay@coventry.ac.uk or Alveena Malik at: alveena.malik@googlemail.com by Wednesday, 26th March. At this stage, they only need a brief description of each project. When you return the completed form, could you also indicate that the Institute have your permission to use the case study/studies on both the DCSF (Department for Children, School and Families) and iCoCo websites.
If you have any documents/websites etc, you could email to support your case studies, that would also be very much appreciated.
EMNGPS participates in BT regional Sustainability Conference
On 13 March Rohini Corfield attended a seminar at the Energy Technology Institute at Loughborough University organised by BT with a panel of prominent speakers.
a clear definition of sustainability is required which incorporates the economic, environmental, social and political aspects of the concept
all sectors (private, public and voluntary) have a key role to play in making the region function more sustainably through developing a low carbon economy and supporting social cohesion
sustainable practices are required from the individual level (e.g. not using plastic bages, recycling, re-using, reducing waste), to the organisation level (e.g. reducing waste and energy, sourcing green energy, working more effectively and efficiently through home working), to the national level (e.g. Climate Change Bill, green construction design, tax inducements, community cohesion projects) through to the global level eg, agreements to cut carbon emissions, developing green technologies, wider use of biofuels)
East Midlands has a good track record on partnership working on sustainability - see Nottingham Declaration (www.emda.org.uk)
BT's Corporate Social Responsibility Work includes tackling climate change, supporting sustainable economic growth and building a more inclusive society (www.bt.com/betterworld)
the need for outwardly facing leaders who can work across sector boundaries to manage complex problems
the need for advice and support for large and small businesses
European Professional Development Opportunities
Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) is a European funding programme which supports education and training across Europe for people working in all sectors of education. ECOTEC is the UK National Agency for the three programmes which make up the LLP:
These Study Visits are usually a week long and involve finding out about education systems and practices in Europe. You can choose your visit from a choice of 30 different themes and 31 countries.
The Study visits are open to people working in Local Authorities, schools, colleges, the voluntary sector and NGOs. There are 230 places available.
Last year applications from the East Midlands were particularly low. For informal advice call 0845 199 3939 or email studyvisits@ecotec.com
Educational campaign for youth
RESPECT (Refugees Education Sponsorship Program, Enhancing Communities Together) is a registered international NGO based in Spain and working mainly in the field of education and assistance to refugee populations in the world.
They are now working on a new educational campaign to spread awareness amongst European children, teenagers and adults about refugees and refugee issues through comics and would like to know whether you would like to partner with them and help distribute the material to teachers interesting in learning about global and sustainable issues. You could include it in your teaching materials and use it as introduction to a debate on social issues in their area and to spread awareness about refugees, racism, intercultural society, etc..... Their main target is youth (children, teenagers (from 13 onwards)) as they believe that they are tomorrow's citizens and can help changing a lot of things in nowaday's society but they also want to reach adults and civil societies as they also can help spreading the word.
RESPECT will only ask you to make sure that the children/teenagers/adults read the material and give their opinions (through debates, workshop, etc...) as well as help them with the follow-up and other things regarding printing for example (it is usually cheaper to have the material printed out in the country and we might ask you for help to request a quote, etc...). As far as they are concerned, they will deal with creating the material in your language, find funds to finance its printing and the distribution to you.
If you are interested in joining RESPECT in this campaign, could you please let them know as soon as possible (at the latest at the end of the week. Please note that if you are interested and sign an agreement with us, you can cancel it afterwards if you feel that you don't have time to do it).
Global Dimension in Schools NI requires Research Consultant
Monitoring and Evaluating the Delivery and Impact of the Global Dimension through the Northern Ireland Curriculum
Background:
Global Dimension in Schools NI is a three year initiative supported by the Department for International Development (DFID) with the aim of enhancing the global dimension in the formal education sector. The project has been funded as part of DFID’s Enabling Effective Support (EES) process which is being delivered in eight regions in England , as well as Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland.
Aim of Evaluation:
To monitor and evaluate the delivery of the global dimension through the Northern Ireland Curriculum by assessing the extent to which educators are resourced and trained to deliver about the global dimension in schools and extent of students’ learning.
Intended Outcomes of Evaluation Inlude:
Identifying and promoting the new and existing opportunities in the Northern Ireland Curriculum for supporting the global dimension
Assessing the level of training and support available to teachers in delivering the global dimension, particularly in regard to in-service training, resources and access to new opportunities in professional development.
To produce interim reports for the Enabling Effective Support Advisory Group that has been established to support the work of the Global Dimension in Schools Co-ordinator. To produce detailed written reports annually for the project funder, the Department for International Development, and to compile a comparative study in year three with analysis of findings and studied recommendations for strengthening the global dimension in formal sector education.
To present the findings in the final year at a seminar for policy-makers in formal education designed to support the development of a strategy for enhancing the global dimension in schools.
In the final report, make recommendations for enhancing delivery of the global dimension in the formal education sector as part of the final report.
Timescale:
May 2008 – April 2010
Tenders should be returned by no later than Friday 11th April 2008. See Terms of Reference click here. For further information contact:
Nora McQuaid
Global Dimension in Schools NI Co-ordinator
c/o Centre for Global Education
9 University Street
Belfast BT7 1FY
Tel: (0044) 2890 241879
E-mail: nora@globaldimensioninschools.org
Mashirika school to visit the East Midlands from Rwanda
The Holocaust Education Centre at Laxton in Nottinghamshire are organising the visit of a Rwandan drama group to England in autumn 2008 to stimulate learning about human rights, diversity, identity and citizenship.
EMNGPS member Leicester Masaya Link Group's Progress Update on Projects in Nicaragua
Download below the latest bulletin from John Perry, giving an update on projects in Nicaragua, including the Solar Panel project and details of a recent meeting which was held in Masaya as part of our EU grant on renewable energy.
Leicester City of Sanctuary - 'PLEDGE TO OFFER SANCTUARY'
Taken from the Leicester Mercury, Friday 7th March, by Nadeem Hanif Campaigners want to turn Leicester into a "City of Sanctuary" for asylum-seekers and refugees. They hope to encourage organisations and businesses to pledge to help build a culture of hospitality and support for new arrivals, so they feel safe and welcome.
Call for Papers:
'Civil Society, Democracy and Education'
The International Centre for Education for Democratic Citizenship (ICEDC) annual conference will be held on Saturday 14th June 2008 at Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1.
Abstracts to be submitted no later than Monday 7th April. Download further details or find out more at http://www.bbk.ac.uk/icedc
Connecting Classrooms Middle East–UK
The Contact Seminar, United Arab Emirates,
10-14 May 2008
As part of the Connecting Classrooms Middle East–UK programme, the British Council is organising a Contact Seminar in the UAE between 10-14 May.
The British Council would be pleased if you could inform suitable schools in your area of this opportunity. Participation could usefully complement other school linking and global dimension activity in your authority , support work relating to the DCSF International School Award, and provide inspiration for schools seeking to develop the teaching of Arabic .
The contact seminar will bring together teacher representatives from schools in the UK and the Middle East with the aim of finding each school specific partners for future collaborative projects. The event will also provide an opportunity for UK teachers to gain insights into other overseas education systems and to experience the fascinating culture of the Middle East.
Successful applicant schools will receive funding for a return flight, accommodation and subsistence for one teacher from their school. Partnerships created at the seminar can then receive a grant of up to £1,200 per year, for ongoing project costs.
Interested schools should read the guidance notes, complete the application form. The deadline for the UAE event in May is 20 March.
The first accredited postgraduate courses for community cohesion practitioners will be launched in April 2008 by Coventry University and iCoCo. Blending theory with practice, the courses will improve your organisational performance and personal effectiveness in bringing communities together and fostering cohesion.
Courses are designed for part-time participants for whom community cohesion is a significant role or responsibility. Applications are invited from:
local authority Community Cohesion Officers
Managers and team workers from the voluntary, community and private sectors with an interest in this area
individuals with a background in equal opportunities and diversity who may be looking to develop their role
professionals working in police, fire and rescue services, health, housing, planning, education and other services who need a deeper understanding of cohesion, equalities and diversity
Participants have choice in what they study and a say in how it is assessed; the result is a course of study that is relevant to both employer and student.
