Global Citizenship

March 30th, 2011

School open day events - sustainable development education

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: CPD, events
 : Categories citizenship, primary schools, secondary schools, sharing practice, sustainable development

Developing global citizens through sustainable development education

As part of a wider programme of activities supporting whole-school approaches to global citizenship, LTS is offering a number of school open day events focussing on sustainable development education.

These events give participants an opportunity to visit schools, see activities first hand and talk to staff, pupils and other community partners.

The schools selected for the open school programme have developed innovative approaches that have successfully weaved elements such as sustainable development education, Eco-Schools and outdoor learning into a wider coordinated whole-school approach to developing global citizens. The schools include a number of award winning establishments and schools whose achievements have been widely recognised and include:

More information on the above open day events can be accessed on Glow: https://portal.glowscotland.org.uk/establishments/nationalsite/Climate%20Change/Lists/Developing%20Global%20Citizens%20events%20coming%20up/AllItems.aspx

Places for these events are limited so it is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment.

Please contact [email protected] or Tel: 0141 282 5193 to book a place.

March 30th, 2011

Marine Atlas being sent to Scottish schools

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: climate and energy, nature, resources
 : Categories biodiversity, sciences, sustainable development

An atlas of Scotland’s seas - with visual representation of its competing uses, productivity and health - has been compiled for the first time.

The Marine Atlas will inform key planning decisions in Scottish waters while providing everyone with an accessible and detailed insight into the geography and vast richness of Scotland’s seas.

It has been developed by a wide range of partners and provides an unparalleled level of analysis of a country’s marine environment.

This unique resource is being made freely available online so that anyone with an interest in the varied waters around Scotland’s shores can find out more.

In addition school packs have been developed, including two hard copies of the atlas for every secondary school, colourful posters and an accompanying DVD.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

“Scotland’s seas are a precious resource that, as a nation, we must treasure. That’s why we have developed the Marine Atlas, a world-leading resource that draws together a vast array of information to enable an accurate picture to be built up of the complex interactions taking place, region by region, throughout Scottish waters.

“The Atlas explores the state of marine life and biodiversity; how competing pressures on an area have an impact; the economic contributions of fishing, marine energy, telecommunications and leisure activities; the effects of climate change; and the environmental legacy of Scotland’s industrial past.

“The uses of the Marine Atlas are as diverse as its contents. It will ensure that informed marine management decisions can be made by planners. It gives pupils a fantastic tool for growing their knowledge of ours seas and the rich contribution - environmental and economic - they make to Scotland. And as an easily accessed and free website, many people in this country and beyond can explore the wonders of Scotland’s seas.”

More at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/03/11102625

Vist the Marine Education Zone at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/education

March 25th, 2011

Earth Hour -Today, 25 March, 8.30 - 9.30pm: Switched on to switch off?

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: climate and energy, events
 : Categories international, sustainable development

WWF’s Earth Hour is the world’s largest display of hope for a bright future. From London to Sydney, New York and Singapore, people all across the world will be switching out their lights for one hour to show they care about tackling climate change and protecting the natural world.

In Scotland thousands of people switched off at the same time as iconic landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament, Falkirk Wheel, Kelvingrove Museum and the Wallace Monument.

We’re planning to make Earth Hour 2011 in Scotland the biggest and best yet.

There is more than switching off the lights, check out all the ways you can get involved.

For more information visit: http://scotland.wwf.org.uk/how_you_can_help/campaign_with_wwf_scotland22/earth_hour_scotland_2011/

March 14th, 2011

Women and global citizenship

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags: Tags: rights
 : Categories citizenship, international

International Women’s Day 2011 attracted lots of media coverage about celebrations of women’s achievements, and also continues to stimulate our thinking about women’s rights and education.

For example: This year the Global Campaign for Education charity is focused on the inequality of girls finding it harder than boys to get an education in less developed countries; so in 2011 their campaign is called Send My Sister to School. Their website offers ideas for teaching and action, with personal stories, a schools pack, and an introductory video.

The Department for International Development website carried a special feature about IWD 2011, and outlined relevant aspects of DFID policy.

The United Nations launched its new agency UN Women, which brings together key work dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. UN Millennium Development Goal number 5 is ‘Improve Maternal Health’, and some charities have given this Goal a particular focus. Amnesty UK produced a useful briefing on the subject, which complements its other work on Women’s human rights.

We hope that’s useful.

March 14th, 2011

Japan - Earthquake and Tsunami resources

mfarrell

Comments: none Tags: Tags: earthquake, natural disasters
 : Categories citizenship, international, japan

Several organisations have acted quickly to produce educational material in response to the humanitarian disaster in northern Japan. The British Red Cross have published a secondary teaching resource on their website, based on a news report video clip, and it can be used in assembly or in class: www.redcross.org.uk/japanlp

The Geographical Association has pulled together a set of ideas for teachers wanting to cover the impact of the earthquake and tsunami. Their webpage includes web links for media coverage about the on-going disaster and the humanitarian relief work.

The Times Educational Supplement has also pulled together a range of resources on the theme:

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storyCode=6072926

If you have any resources that you have developed, or websites that you know of, which will help to support understanding of this terrible disaster please let us know at [email protected] . You could also upload them to the sharing area of the Developing Global Citizens Glow Group

March 11th, 2011

Hebridean Science Festival 2011

kmayer

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories sustainable development

Western Isles have organised a two days science festival on the 17 and 18 March offering a wider range of talks and activities linking science to issues such as sustainability and renewable energy.

If you wish to listen to The Astronomer Royal (Prof. John C. Brown), Johnny Ball (former children’s presenter) or Brian Wilson (former Environment Minister) or take part in a K’Nex Challenge than simply log on to Glow following the links in the programme on the following website:

http://www.hebrideansciencefestival.com/lewisharris_schools.aspx

For more information log on to http://www.hebrideansciencefestival.com/index.aspx

March 10th, 2011

INDIE - Inclusion and Diversity guidelines published

mfarrell

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories citizenship, international

New Inclusion and Diversity Guidelines are launched today, 10th March 2011, at Shawlands Academy in Glasgow.

Over three years five schools across Glasgow have taken part in initiatives set up by Glasgow City Council to promote social cohesion. The schools involved were Shawlands Academy, Holyrood Secondary School, Hillhead High School, Lourdes Secondary School and All Saints Secondary School. Each school put forward 20 pupils.

Key to the programme was that the pupils themselves shaped the initiatives that took place in their respective schools. Projects included a performance arts piece to welcome migrant pupils to the school. Performance dance was used to avoid language barriers, a music festival where the pupils used their respective musical styles to welcome each other, a diversity week where parts of the timetable were collapsed and time was devoted to intercultural teaching materials.

Download a pdf of the INDIE Guidelines

Further information about the initiative can be found online here:

http://www.britishcouncil.org/scotland-society-indie.htm

March 7th, 2011

Centenary of International Women’s Day – 8th March 2011

imenzies

Comments: 2 Comments » Tags: Tags: action, events, rights
 : Categories citizenship, international, social studies

The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that ‘all the battles have been won for women’ while others recognise how difficult it can be to bring about lasting change and how many challenges still need to be addressed.

With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.

Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, expressive arts performances, fashion parades and more.

So make a difference, think globally and act locally !! Make everyday International Women’s Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

More info at: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/default.asp

March 4th, 2011

The Earth Charter

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: action, climate and energy, nature, poverty
 : Categories biodiversity, citizenship, community, social studies, sustainable development

The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental ethical principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century. It seeks to inspire in all people a new sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the whole human family, the greater community of life, and future generations. It is a vision of hope and a call to action.

The Earth Charter is centrally concerned with the transition to sustainable ways of living and sustainable human development.

Ecological integrity is one major theme. However, the Earth Charter recognizes that the goals of ecological protection, the eradication of poverty, equitable economic development, respect for human rights, democracy, and peace are interdependent and indivisible.

It provides, therefore, a new, inclusive, integrated ethical framework to guide the transition to a sustainable future.

Find out more from The Earth Charter website.

March 2nd, 2011

Junior Saltire Prize and Green Energy Awards

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: climate and energy, events
 : Categories citizenship, renewables and climate change, sciences, sustainable development, technologies

Find out about an exciting set of awards that you could take part in - and the chance to win some great prizes for your school!

They have been designed to promote interest and awareness in renewable energy and will culminate in the Celebration of Engineering and Science Showcase Event hosted by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry on Friday 10th June 2011.

o Junior Saltire Prize Award
Open to all primary P5-P7 and secondary S1-S3 school pupils in Scotland and will run from 1st March to 30th April 2011.

Entry participation can be by a team or a whole class.

o Junior Green Energy Crest Project Award
Held in cooperation with the British Science
Association and open to any Scottish school group that has submitted a Crest Award during the 2010/11 school year for an energy-related project.

o Junior Green Energy Eco-Schools Award
Held in cooperation with Eco-Schools Scotland and open to any school in Scotland that has successfully been awarded an Green Flag during the 2010/11 school year relating to the Eco-Schools Energy topic.

More information is available at: http://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/junior-saltire-prize-and-green-energy-awards-2011.aspx

A PowerPoint presentation and relevant forms can be downloaded from the national Sustainable Development Education glow group.