EMNGPS case-studies

EMNGPS is a learning network which shares information about its projects. Below are case studies about different aspects of EMNGPS' work. Please feedback your thoughts about these case-studies to us.

July 2009 - The story of GARP: This narrative explains how EMNGPS enabled educators from the voluntary and statutory sectors to share their expertise in the production of a Global and Anti-Racist Perspectives (GARP) Pack for Primary Schools. The total number of copies produced of the GARP pack is 1250. For more information visit the GARP website.

June 2009 - Working Strategically with Local Authorities: EMNGPS commissioned Bob Hirst, Voluntary Sector Consultant and Critical Friend of EMNGPS, to write a case-study illustrating how Global Education Derby has been enabled by EMNGPS to work strategically with Derby City and Derbyshire County Council in the mainstreaming of the Global Dmension agenda.

March 2009 - Food For Thought: This case study was produced by Claire Plumb, Clare Carr and Ruth Godfrey in March 2009 to creatively document the evolution of the project, describe partnerships and pedagogical approaches and to share their learning.

December 2008 - Lincolnshire Scoping Report: EMNGPS and CfBT commissioned Chris Williams to produce a scoping report exploring how Lincolnshire could best support its schools to embed the Global Dimension, ESD and International perspectives in a sustainable way. Download the draft report.

February 2008 - Local Authority case study: EMNGPS and Northamptonshire/Lincolnshire LA match funded a one year Global Dimension post in each LA. What impact did these posts have?

February 2008 - Impact Assessment case study: EMNGPS is a regional network funded by DFID. EMNGPS received five years of funding from 2003-2008 and this case study asks what impact has EMNGPS had on its members during this time.

April 2007 - International Dimension case-study: This case study assesses what impact an International dimension consultant can have on the strategic aims of a Local Authority and at school level.

EMNGPS conference

Rohini gave a brief overview of funding changes introduced by DFID and the tendering process for the new DFID Global Learning England fund. She also highlighted the joint DFID/DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) joint consultation about the Global Learning vision - click here.

Raul Valdivia and Eleanor Brown

Alex Kosogorin

Amy Fernandes,Joanna Kemp and Anna Bourke

Each of the 6 Locality Groups then shared a range of projects which they had undertaken to bring the Global Dimension to life.

Highlights included:-

Paul Warwick's session

Dr Paul Warwick then led an interactive session about EMNGPS and Success Factors. Effective partnership working, solidarity, professional development, information sharing and fun were all identified as EMNGPS successes from the perspective of members. Linda Barker then facilitated a session about the DFID/DCSF Global Learning Vision so that EMNGPS members could feed their ideas into a response which Rohini will collate.

Day 2 began with the EMNGPS AGM at which the new annual report was presented - click here to download.

Rob Bowden and Rosie Wilson from Lifeworlds Learning then facilitated two powerful sessions on What is Community? and Preferable Futures for EMNGPS

Alex Kosogorin, Richard Johnson and Dorcas Adusei

GELS feedback led by Claire Plumb

Feedback has been hugely positive:-

• "an inspirational two days"
• " wonderful to hear what other locality groups are doing and to adapt their ideas"
• "loved the sessions by lifeworlds Learning - feel we now have a good way of moving forward"
  
  

Regional Network for International Learning

On 21 April Rohini Corfield joined 5 Local Authority colleagues at the RNIL (Regional Network for International Learning ) meeting to discuss:-

• Progress updates - each Local Authority and Regional Network fed back on how the international and global dimensions were being implemented in their local areas through a variety of international school partnerships, conferences and International School Award promotion

• Opportunities offered through Links into Languages were also highlighted

• The DFID/DCSF draft Global Learning strategy and its implications for RNIL
  

Widening Horizons Conference

09.04.2010

On 1 April Rohini Corfield joined 50 other teachers, Head teachers and Local Authority advisers at an innovative conference organised by Long Eaton School. The purpose of the day was to explore the importance of global citizenship, language learning and intercultural intelligence as mechanisms for widening the aspirations of students.

The event included a range of exhibitors including Global Education Derby, the British Council, Specialist Schools Trust and The National Centre for Languages. There were a range of workshops on:-

• The DCSF International School Award
• Asset Languages
• values, Attitudes and Actions
• e-Languages
• e-Twinning
• Culture and Sustainability
• China
  

Frank Gardner, the BBC's Security Correspondent, also explained how his degree in Arabic studies and interest in different languages and cultures led to a fascinating career in journalism with the BBC, enabling him to report from major world events like the wars in Iraq and Afghanisthan. He emphasized the importance of speaking other languages, learning at first hande about other culktures through dialogue and encouraging young people to take their place as active citizens in the world.

Fergal Keane, the BBC's International Correspondent also gave an inspiring speech about the politics of hope and related this to the role of the media in reporting events like the downfall of apartheid in South Africa, political religious-based struggles in Northern Ireland, the Holocaust and in genocide in Rwanda. He emphasized the importance of giving a balanced picture of both the horror and hope, and shared stories of remarkable transformation like the Rwandan orphan, a genoicide survivor who is now training in the USA to become a nurse.

Sustainable Schools Working Group

09.04.2010

On 30 March Rohini Corfield joined 15 educators from Local Authorities and NGOs interested in Sustainability at the Sustainable Schools Working Group meeting.

Items discussed at the event included:-

• Forthcoming sustainability events and conferences
• An update of the DFID Global Learning tender process
• An update from the Nottinghamshire Sustainability conference, which had involved 125 participants, including 50 children . The day included national speakers from the QCDA, 20 workshops and a marketplace of 30 providers, including EMNGPS.
• The National College Sustainable Schools event
• An update from Government Office East Midlands about new resources available on the techernet website
• 2 new case-studies on Sustainable Schools East Midlands website
• Ideas for how the new DCSF contract for Sustainability could be used most effectively in the region

Successful Sustainable Development: Curriculum and Learning conference

On 16th March 2010, Annette Jarvis, Project Assistant EMNGPS, attended the Successful Sustainable Development: Curriculum and Learning conference at the National Watersports Centre, Nottingham. This was a partnership conference jointly sponsored by the RCE East Midlands Sustainable Schools Working Group and Nottinghamshire County Council. Over 100 delegates from Nottinghamshire schools and Nottingham City schools attended.

The conference was introduced by Lynne Sykes, Deputy Cabinet Member, a number of students from various schools delivered presentations, including Eco songs and the keynote speaker was David Gardner, Curriculum Programme Adviser, QCDA.

Nottingham Healthy Schools display area in the marketplace

Global Learning for Community Cohesion

On 8 March 2010 Rohini Corfield joined 12 colleagues from Global Education Derby (GED), Lifeworlds Learning, the Schools Linking Network, Derby City Council and the British Council at the Steering group for the Global Learning for Community Cohesion project.

All present were asked to share any updates in their work relating to Global Learning and Community Cohesion which was a useful information sharing exercise.

GED staff then gave updates on the project's progress which included working with 25 schools on 3 themed CPD afternoons about Cultural Diversity, Socio-economic perspectives and Multi-faith approaches. Teachers were introduced to a variety of resources and participatory methodologies for each of these themes.

Linda Barker also gave an update on the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) which GED plan to eveolve for all projects as a mechanism for encouraging peer learning.

Rob Bowden then facilitated interesting group work about the definition of community at various levels (local, national, global) by getting small groups to look at different models of community and reflect on both the commonalities and differences.

Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP)

On 4 March, Rohini Corfield, on behalf of EMNGPS, attended an Involvement Event organised by REDP.

REDP is a partnership of East Midlands voluntary sector organisations working with the private and public sectors in providing equality, diversity and human rights training, research, information and policy development and challenge - see website.

The purpose of the event was to seek views about to establish an effective REDP. Thirty delegates from a range of voluntary and public sector organisations participated in a World Cafe activity which involved writing ideas about which organisations the new REDP should involve, and its potential structure and modus operandi on paper tablecloths! Each group then moved to another table where they could read the suggestions of the previous group, and build on them. REDP is keen to work in an empowering way.

Various presentations were made about the work of REDP thus far, the Regional Demographic Profile, an update on the Equality Bill and the event finished with a fascinating input by the Diversity Manager from ITV, who talked about the work the television company was doing to reflect the diversity of the communities it broadcast to on its programmes.

Regional Network for International Learning (RNIL)

On 3 February Rohini Corfield met with 7 Local Authority Advisers at the RNIL meeting to discuss a range of international and global learning issues:-

• Feedback from the national RNIL conference in Durham was given in relation to a discussion about the implications of the DFID termination of EES contracts, the new Global Schools Partnerships for Local Authorities (see birtish council website), the latest statistics for International School Awards and the expansion of the Connecting Classrooms programme.

• Each Local Authority representative gave an update of international activity in their areas including visitors from other countries, civic twinning link activities, progress on local and international School Linking projects, Comenius Regio updates and key conferences eg, Living Together conference organised by Derbyshire County Council on behalf of the British Council involving 33 teachers/Headteachers from 21 countries on the theme of Community Cohesion

• Rohini shared the challenges faced by EMNGPS and highlighted the forthcoming EMNGPS conference on 29 - 30 April 2010

• The LAs present made a strong statement of support about the value of EMNGPS and its Locality Groups in bringing coherence to international and global work in the region

• Schools and their need for support with Community Cohesion

• Potential themes for future RNIL events

Such meetings enable regional co-ordination and the sharing of good practice.

ESD Seminar Event University of Leicester

On 19 February 4 EMNGPS members joined 40 other educators from universities and regional sustainability and global learning networks to hear how Bradford University is bringing ESD to life through the curriculum, student led-projects, estate management and community engagement.

Activities discussed included a Sustainable Schools network, a Seed newspaper to share ideas about sustainability, a free bus service connecting the campus with railway and bus stations and strategies to reduce waste and energy consumption. The active support of the senior management team and funding were identified as crucial success factors.

Dr Paul Warwick chairs the ESD Forum at Leicester University and will be exploring how some of these ideas could be utilised at Leicester.

Click here to download the programme.

NASUWT education conference 11 February 2010

30 teachers from primary, secondary and special schools and Local Authority advisers attended the workshop where Kate explained how she provided a strategic lead for these agendas by including them in the school's vision and curriculum planning. She also enabled staff and community members to share their expertise through Enrichment afternoons, and talked about the impact of a whole school approach on students, staff, governors and the local community.

Amanda Grant shared Bemrose School's involvement in a Connecting Classrooms programme funded by the British Council which involved linking with schools in Tanzania and South Africa. These links resulted in curriculum days, pen pal exchanges and cultural dialogue. Amanda outlined some of the practical challenges the school faced, and described how these were overcome.

Linda Barker outlined the support available to teachers from national, regional and local organisations.
EMNGPS also had an information stand and through this made contact with a variety of teachers.
Feedback about the conference from delegates and contributors has been positive.

ESD Schools Working Group

On 21 January 10 Local Authority advisers, staff from GOEM, consultants and Regional Network staff met at the RCE (Regional Centre of Expertise) ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) Schools Working Group (visit the rceem website)

Items discussed included:-

• An update on Global Dimension DFID funding changes
• An update from GOEM on curriculum ESD events around the region, feedback from the Local Authority meeting and business planning for the next financial year
• An update of new school case-studies for the Sustainable Schools website
• Plans for the SWG and Nottinghamshire County Council ESD conference on 16th March
• Plans for the East Midlands Sustainable Schools Showcase on 3rd March- visit the Lincolnshire website.
• Dates for a variety of forthcoming ESD events - click here for see the EMNGPS calendar.

The meeting provided an opportunity for ESD educators to share expertise and co-ordinate ESD work across the region.

Purandare Visit

On 23 November Claire Plumb, Joint Co-ordinator of the Leicester/shire Locality Group (called GELs - Global Education Leicester/shire) and Rohini Corfield visited C.K Purandare in Derby to view and learn more about the paintings of Purandare based on contemporary events, political ideas and depictions of marginalised groups, from both the developing and developed worlds.

These paintings can be used as powerful and evocative stimuli to a variety of work on the Global Dimension with different audiences - school pupils, youths, teachers and a variety of development education educators.

Purandare moved from Scotland where he was involved withthe Enabling Effective Support (EES) network.

Visit their website for more information.

EMNGPS Consultative Day - ITE and DFID/DEA Proposals

On 19 November 26 educators from Universities, Local Authorities, NGOs, Development Education consultancies and Community Organisations met at the EMNGPS Consultative Day in Leicester. Click here to download the programme.

The day provided the opportunity to share how the Global Dimension was being integrated into the work of universities in different ways, and to network.

Feedback has been largely positive, although some delegates did experience an information overload!

In the afternoon EMNGPS members were consulted on the following:-

1. DFID Consultation - DFID have made a number of proposals as a result of the Reviews conducted into the effectiveness and efficiency of work happening at national, regional and local levels to Build Support for Development.

The next steps in the review of the Building Suport for Development strategy can be found on the dfid website

How do you think EMNGPS should respond to the proposals?

2. DEA - Responding to new DFID opportunities; DFID has proposed to put together a major new programme of support for schools in England. Whilst this is still being consulted on and the terms of reference are still being drawn up, the DEA recognises that this is a major potential opportunity for us and for our members. Our understanding is that if the scheme goes ahead, an invitation to tender will be put out in the New Year.

DEA is considering putting together a bid for this programme. We believe that such a bid should have the following components:

• National: Working together with key national bodies and networks, including statutory bodies and practice focused bodies such as subject associations, and raising the profile of regional and local work at the national level.
• Regional: Work at the regional level to bring together networks and influence practice of schools, local authorities and the voluntary sector, as part of a coherent national programme.
• Local: A range of engaging and innovative practice to support schools by a range of partners, particularly from the voluntary sector and DECs. This work will feed into regional and national policy and practice.

As the terms of reference have not yet been issued by DFID, our thinking is at a very early stage. But given there will not be much time once the tender documents are issued, we would like to invite all of DEA's members to be involved in our thinking. If you are interested in potentially being part of a DEA bid, please email me ( hetan.shah@dea.org.uk ) by Friday 20 th November to pre-register your interest.

Pre-registration does not commit you in any way to working with DEA. There is a lot of work to be done on what will be the most viable structures etc, but at this stage we are just looking to gauge the interest of our members and map potential reach. Once we have gauged interest we will communicate again with all those who have registered an interest to let you know the next steps. Best wishes, Hetan Shah ,Chief Executive, DEA

Should EMNGPS pre - register with the DEA in order to keep abreast of emerging possibilitie? What are your views on EMNGPS joining a DEA-led Consortium?

3. DEA Global Learning Charter
The DEA is also inviting members to sign up to a Global Learning Charter and to invite you to sign up. The Charter is attached, along with terms of reference for signatories.

The DEA have developed the Charter with a wide range of stakeholders as a way to bring together all those who believe that learning can help tackle some of the big issues that we collectively face such as climate change, intolerance and poverty. The DEA aim to use the Charter to develop a broad coalition of support for global learning, as well as a network of like-minded organisations which can share good practice with one another.

The Charter makes the argument that the global challenges we face can't just be left to technical fixes and policy wonks, but need a mass campaign of education and citizen involvement, and that this is a challenge for all of society's institutions. Signatories to the Charter are committing to play their part in helping society to innovate and respond to global issues such as international poverty and climate change through helping citizens learn more about the issues and how they can respond.

The Charter is the centrepiece of a series of initiatives by DEA to raise the profile of global learning, including:

• A formal launch of the Charter at a reception in the Houses of Parliament in the New Year, to which all signatories will be invited
• Research with IpsosMORI to highlight the importance of and desire for global learning amongst the UK population
• An Early Day Motion in Parliament, to encourage local MPs to support global learning (more information to members soon.)
• Policy round tables on the contribution that education and learning can make to addressing global challenges of sustainability, poverty and cohesion
• Practice-sharing sessions to support signatory organisations' global learning work
• Support for DEA's local members to bring global learning to the attention of their elected representatives and general election candidates

The DEA announced the Charter at their recent AGM and were pleased with the level of interest shown there. They are now asking our organisation to do two things: a) Sign your organisation up, by emailing Max Hogg with your logo and the name and job title of the person authorising your organisation's signature. The quicker the better, as the more organisations that are signed up, the more credibility we will have with other potential signatories. b) Promote the Charter wherever you are able; for DECs please encourage your local authority to sign up, as well as the schools and youth work organisations that you work with. For other members please let your networks know about the Charter and encourage them to sign up.

We are seeking a wide range of signatory organisations: NGOs, businesses, trade unions, local authorities, schools and others - please do send as widely as you think is appropriate. Further information is available on the dea website

In order to sign up, or if you have any questions, please contact Max Hogg / 020 7922 7939.

Should EMNGPS sign the Charter and promote it to its members?

Action
As a result of the above Consultation EMNGPS
1. will submit a response to the DFID proposals by 9 December 2009
2. has pre-registered with the DEA Consortium to keep in the information loop
3. has signed the DEA Global Learning Charter, and will be promoting it to our members

British Council 's 75th Anniversary Celebration Event

On 11 November Rohini Corfield joined 99 other educators (teachers, Headteachers, Local Authority Officers, NGO staff and British Council staff) from all parts of the region at a conference to promote the International School Award (ISA) to primary Headteachers and to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the British Council

John Rolfe from the British Council explained how schools could apply for the ISA, and the stages involved in accreditation at the foundation, intermediate and full levels.

Chris Williams then gave examples of how 4 schools in Lincolnshire had used Comenius projects and ISA to promote school improvement.

A series of school case-studies followed from:-

• Holywell Primary School where children shared learning about different cultures and sustainability

• Stubbin Wood/ Shirebrook / Brookfield Schools talked about their International School

• Links, curriculum work and joint global learning work projects

• Students from Stubbin Wood Special School talked about their trip to China

Delegates then chose a workshop, choices included :-

• The Global Dimension in the new Primary Curriculum

• School Linking in the Primary Curriculum

• Intercultural Understanding in the Primary Languages KS2 Framework

• Community Cohesion in the Primary School

The afternoon celebrated 75 years of the British Council with the launch of a Community Cohesion DVD, produced by Global Education Derby (GED)

A variety of providers also summarised the support they could offer to schools eg, EMNGPS, GED, Lifeworlds Learning, Village Aid. Feedback has been really positive.

National College - Every Child's Future event

On 10 November Rohini Corfield joined 70 Head teachers and academics at a conference entitled "Every Child's Future" organised by the National College

The conference provided an opportunity for EMNGPS and Oxfam to share their work on School Leadership for the Global Dimension. Feedback has been really positive:-

Sarah Stubbings, Web Editor and Research & Development Manager
from National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services said "Many thanks for your very interesting and engaging presentation and your contributions to the discussions at yesterday’s Every Child’s Future Matters event. It was refreshing to hear your perspective and the outcomes of your project. We’ve received some extremely positive feedback on the event, verbally, via email and on our evaluation forms, so I can say the day was a great success and that your contribution played a significant part in that success."

At the event, National College also launched:-

• a thinkpiece co-ordinated by Forum for the Future- entitled "Every Child's Future: leading the way" which explored the leadership challenges posed by the sustainability agenda

• a research study highlighting the charactersistics of sustainable schools and the leadership qualities required to develop sustainable schools - Sustainability and renewal:findings from the Leading Sustainable Schools research project

Chelle Byrne, Oxfam Schools Engagement Officer and Kate Brown, DEA Schools Manager were also at the event networking with Headteachers, Ofsted, National College and academics.

Click here to download the programme for the event.

God, the World and Me

5.11.2009

On 2 November Linda Barker, Director at Global Education Derby (GED) and Rohini Corfield from EMNGPS ran a workshop about "Bringing the World into the Classroom" at the God, the World and Me conference organised by Derby Dioseces (click here to download the programme and workshop list)

The above workshop ran 3 times and enabled 50 teachers to:-

• understand how Global Learning can help schools to make learning relevant for their students whilst meeting statutory agendas like Every Child Matters and Community Cohesion
• know where they can seek support locally - from GED, regionally through EMNGPS, and nationally through global dimenions
• debate what they were already doing to embed global citizenship and explore ideas to develop this further
• sign up for a new GED project entitled Global Learning for Community Cohesion

Tackling Racial Inequalities - free Career Development Training for Black and Minority Ethnic Staff

22.10.2009

On 21 October Rohini Corfield from EMNGPS attended a launch event organised by by the Network for Black Professionals see programme below.

NBP have received funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government to offer free training and career development to BAME ( Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) staff .

This can take the form of:-

• Mentor Training
• Diversity in Action workshops to develop Intercultural competencies
• Regional Career Development Workshops for BAME
• Civic Leadership shadowing opportunities
• Public sector work shadowing opportunities, including with Ofsted
• Opportunities for strategic networking
  

Bobby Upple is the Regional Manager for the East Midlands region. Leicester City and Leicestershire County Council are already members of the NBP.

Northamptonshire Black History Association (NBHA)

22.10.2009

On 20 October Rohini Corfield (EMNGPS) met with Angela Ghavami and Monica Babb from the Northamptonshire Black History Society to discuss:-

• the work of NBHA and EMNGPS in promoting equality and community cohesion
• the learning resources produced by NBHA to support History, Citizenship, Geography and Literacy in Primary and Secondary Schools across the country - see Shaping the Future - Teaching for Diversity
• the work of NBHA with the University of Northampton in incorporating Black History into teacher training
• the 10 week courses run by NBHA about Black History, open to all
• the involvement of NBHA at EMNGPS's next Initial Teacher Education (ITE) event on 19 November
• key strategic contacts and networks

EMNGPS and NBHA plan to work collaboratively, for more information visit the NBHA website.

Gender Mainstreaming

On October 8th 2009, Annette Jarvis, EMNGPS Project Assistant, attended Day 1 of Skillshare International's Gender Mainstreaming Training.

The course was led by Lydia 'Mapaballo 'Mile, Skillshare International Lesotho, Country Programme Officer. Lydia introduced Gender concepts, theories, development, needs and approaches to Gender Equality. Group activities included creating a Gender lifeline, analysing proverbs, drawing up a calendar of events leading to discovering common trends. These enabled participants to understand Gender as a concept and its application in sustainable development.

Community Cohesion and Global Learning

19.10.2009

On 13 October Rohini Corfield joined 17 other educators from Global Education Derby, the Schools Linking Network, NGOs and Local Authorities at the Project Advisory Group(PAG) meeting for the Community Cohesion and Global Learning (CCGL) Project.

The morning session was an OSDE (Open Spaces for Dialogue and Enquiry - click here for more information) about Culture and Representation led by Linda Barker (GED) and Alex Kosogorin (MUNDI). This methodology underpins the project.

The afternoon session was the first meeting of the PAG where the following were agreed:

• the roles for the PAG and communication mechanisms
• Project overview
• Ideas for bringing the Global Dimension and Comunity Cohesion agendas together
• the potential use of Virtual Learning Environments

EES (Enabling Effective Support) Co-ordinators Peer Mentoring in York

On 1 October 2009 Rohini Corfield joined other EES regional co-ordinators at a peer mentoring session. The group shared each region's responses to the recent DFID Reviews and the systems they use to monitor and evaluate their regional plans. Such meetings enable the sharing of good practice and learning across regions in a systematic and transparent manner.

RCE ESD SWG - Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development Schools Working Group

19.10.2009

On 5 October Rohini Corfield joined 14 other colleagues from Local Authorities, NGOs, Government Office East Midlands (GOEM) and ESD Consultancies across the region to share information about the following:-

• New publications from the Department of Children, Schools and Families about how schools and Local Authorities can measure their progress in applying sustainability principles

• The new Ofsted Inspection framework

• Whether there is a link between schools who implement the Sustainable Schools framework and raising standards

• The Department for International Development Building Support for Development Reviews (click here), including the EMNGPS response which emphasized the synergy between the Global Dimension, ESD and International Perspectives agendas

• Updates from GOEM

• Possible ideas for the forthcoming Schools Working Group regional event

• Updates about the Lincolnshire (3 March 2010) and Rutland (3 December 2009) Sustainable Schools Showcase events

Such information sharing and debate builds regional ownership of the ESD and Global Citizenship agendas, and allows co-ordination of eve

For more information visit the Regional Centre of Expertise in the East Midlands website

DEA Visit to the East Midlands

On 12 October Kate Brown, the DEA's new Schools Manager, and Max Hogg, the new Policy Manager visited Global Education Derby to learn more about the work of GED and EMNGPS.

They spoke to Linda Barker, Director of GED about strategic issues (eg, funding, partnership working) and GED's DAF (Development Awareness Fund) Projects like Widening Horizons.

School Project Officers, Maggie Talty-Sanghera and Yvonne Luce, then shared the range of ways that GED works with schools - providing resources and CPD training on the International Schools Award, Connecting Classrooms, School Linking Nework programme etc. The progress of the Derby/shire Locality Group in engaging teachers, Local Authority advisers and NGOs was also discussed.

Rohini Corfield, EMNGPS Project Manager then gave a brief overview of EES (Enabling Effective Support) work in the East Midlands and after lunch they visited St Martin's Special School to see how the Global Dimension has been incorporated.

Both Kate and Max found the day stimulating and informative.

East Midlands Expo - Greening the Economy

On 8 October Rohini Corfield joined 25 colleagues from universities, Local Authorities, Further Education Colleges, regional networks and NGOs at the Skills needed for a Low Carbon Economy conference, which was part of the EXPO - see website for details.

The conference was opened by Hugh Fenton, Chair of the Regional Centre of Expertise in the East Midlands

Professor Stephen Martin, who has been advising Ofsted on their Sustainable Development Plan, then gave a presentation (click here to download) covering the science behind a low carbon economy, the current demand-led policy context, the skillsets required for a low carbon economy and interesting examples of good practice from the private sector, including Marks and Spencer and Tesco. In his presentation Professor Martin explored the skills needed for Sustainability Literacy and economic and environmental global trends.

There were then a series of facilitated discussions about:-

• the particular skills needed to develop Sustainability Literacy
• which agencies need to take a leadership role in developing the skillsets
• which priority sectors need low carbon skills training

Click here to download the discussion notes.

Regional Network for International Learning (RNIL)

On 30 september 2009 Rohini Corfield joined 9 colleagues from Local Authorities and the British Council at the termly RNIL meeting.

Items discussed at the meeting included:-

• Training events planned for the academic year 2009 - 10 eg. on Comenius, Community Cohesion

• The Regional International School Award and 75 Voices conference for primary Headteachers on 11 November 2009

• Updates on Comenius Regio, E-twinning, the British Council Annual Conference "Above and Beyond" on 18 November, International Education Week and the promotion of e-languages which enable schools across the world to collaborate on online projects - see website.

• Each participant then gave an update about International/Global activity in their areas.
  

Jenny Yates visit to Leicester

On 18 September, Jenny Yates, Team Leader for the DFID Outreach and Stakeholder Relations Team visited Leicester to learn more about how EMNGPS works.

The programme for the visit was:

9.30 Rohini Corfield / Annette Jarvis - EMNGPS

• Structures – Executive Committee, Locality groups, Working Groups

• Regional approach to cross sector collaboration – RNIL, ESD

• Monitoring and Evaluation

• Local authority case-study

11.00 Paul Warwick - University of Leicester

• ITE work

• Monitoring and Evaluation Working Group

• Locality Group
  

12.00 Helen Trilling - Leicestershire County Council

• EMNGPS Executive Committee

• Regional Network for International Learning
  

1.0 Lunch and walk to Moat College

2.00 Anne Steventon - Moat Community College

• Locality Group

• Cold Shoulder Project on Rafi-ki website
  

3.00 Clare Carr Locality Group co-ordinator

• GELS ( Global Education Leicester/shire) – structure and projects

• The visit was a good opportunity to explore how EMNGPS is putting the EES (Enabling Effective Support) Strategy into practice.
  
  

Jenny 's feedback - "Thanks very much indeed for setting up a very interesting and useful day last Friday. I enjoyed it and found it really helpful "

DFID/DEA Consultation on Reviews

18.09.2009

Rohini Corfield joined 39 other colleagues from DECs (development education Centres), EES (Enabling Effective Support) networks, Trade Unions, DFID, DEA, Consultants and DAF (Development Awareness Fund) project recipients at the Stakeholder Forum organised by the DEA to consult on the DFID Reviews, which took place in London on 14 September.

Jenny Yates from DFID made a brief presentation about the recommendations from the Education and DAF Reviews and delegates then broke into small group for disussions on the recommendations.

Each group presented key points from their discussion and the afternoon finished with the opportunity for anyone to make individual points.

The afternoon provided an opportunity to share perspectives on a range of issues including:-

• the Building Support for Development vision
• engaging national stakeholders like the DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families), NCSL (National College of School Leadership), TDA (Teacher Development Agency) etc
• DFID funding
• DFID staffing
• role of regional EES networks and DECs in developing, delivering and monitoring the vision
  the implications of the changing political context

UKGLAS meeting

On 7 September 2009 Rohini Corfield joined 20 other Local Authority Advisers, consultants and NGO educators at the UK Global Learning Association for Schools (www.ukglas.org.uk) meeting in London.

Items discussed included:-

• Feedback from the UKGLAS conference
  
  
• Discussion about the DCSF/DFID/Local Authority consultation facilitated by Isos
  
  
• Agreement for UKGLAS to set up an online Forum
  
  
• Identification of research into International Partnerships
  
  
• Agreement for UKGLAS to submit a response to the DFID Building Support for Development Education Review(see DFID website)
  
  
• The role of independent consultants
  
  
• The methodology of the Food For Thought Case-study

The meeting was a useful opportunity to hear different perspectives on a range of issues affecting international and global education.