The Global Learning Community across the UK has welcomed the new Labour government’s commitment to “strengthen international development work within the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office”
As we await further details, most development education centres across the UK along with key partners in international development and higher education are uniting to call for this welcome promise to include a renewed focus on global learning at the heart of the school curriculum.
Our young won’t thank us for keeping quiet about things now and not helping them to understand the implications for reshaping how people live.- Mick Waters
Whilst the general election has understandably focused on domestic issues, more than 30 organisations are urging David Lammy not only to take a lead in tackling the rapidly escalating and interconnected global crises of climate emergency, conflict, inequality and extreme poverty but to ensure that teachers at all levels are supported in the crucial engagement of all learners with these vital issues that are increasingly affecting all our lives.
The organisations (listed below) have published their own ‘manifesto’ - The Case for Global Learning - which details evidence of the wide-ranging benefits for teachers and learners in discussing these topics in a structured way in the classroom and beyond.
It also calls for a properly resourced new framework across the UK to redress a significant reduction in support from Westminster and Europe in the past few years.
Read
The acute domestic and global challenges that we collectively face demand a transformation of our approach to education. Read our summary document that illustrates the power of Global Learning approaches, and outlines a clear direction and strategy to bolster this vital pillar of education around the UK.
Download the summary document here
The full document is now published!
Take Action
Add your voice to ours as we call for government action to bring the UK back to the forefront of the practice of this transformational educational approach. Here’s how you can help:
- Write to your MP calling for them to request that the Minister for International Development in FCDO convenes a meeting with education ministers and civil society organisations on developing a national strategy for global learning. You can access a letter template for this here.
- Help build momentum by cascading information about the Case for Global Learning through your networks. You can access copy, sample tweets, and graphics here.
- Contact us directly - if you are interested in getting more involved, or have any media enquiries, get in touch here.
These organisations have either been involved in the production of 'The Case for Global Learning', or have endorsed the document. A full list can be found below.
Evidence
There is considerable evidence that global learning can help to raise the overall quality of learning because it can empower and motivate both teachers and learners. These case studies show the impact a global learning approach can have on schools, communities and individuals.
Photo credit: Silvia Szaboova - SOSNA, Slovakian partner in Erasmus + PLACE project with CDEC and DEED
Support
The Case for Global Learning is published by:
And is endorsed by
- 18 Hours
- Aberdeen for a Fairer World
- CADA Northern Ireland
- Centre for Global Education (Belfast)
- Christian Aid
- Cumbria Development Education Centre
- DEED
- Development Education Centre South Yorkshire
- Devon Development Education
- Dolen Cymru
- Fir Vale School (Sheffield)
- Friends of the Earth
- Global Learning Association
- Global Learning London
- Highland One World Global Learning Centre
- IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education & Society
- Leeds DEC
- Liverpool World Centre
- OASES
- One World Centre Dundee
- Oxfam GB
- Research Centre for Global Learning (Coventry University)
- RISC
- Sazani Associates
- Scotdec
- Scotland's International Development Alliance
- Scottish Fairtrade Forum
- Students Organising for Sustainability UK
- TEESNet
- The GLADE Centre
- Tide Global Learning
- Welsh Centre for International Affairs
- WOSDEC