Protesters in Washington D.C. gathered for a vigil in response to the violence in Charlottesville. Credit: Zach Gibson/AFP/Getty Images via Rolling Stone.

Charlottesville: How Can Global Citizenship Education Provide a Way Forward?

By Sarah Shalash, Development Manager

In the week following events in Charlottesville, we have discussed the values of free speech, the traumatic and violent history of racism in America, and the response by those in power. What we have not discussed enough is what these events mean for young people around the world.

Charlottesville will hit close to home for some, and very distant for most, but at its core are questions that have implications for every young person: how is history learned? Who is valued as a “real” member of a community? How do you engage with someone who is different from you? How do you stop cycles of racism and hate?

Every time a tragedy strikes, today’s young generation is provided with lessons and an opportunity to forge a better path forward. Young people spend much of their time learning from elders and peers in schools and in their communities. How can we address these questions to help them build a more inclusive future?

Critically Examine History

No matter what facts are included or left out of textbooks, educators have an important role to play in teaching the curriculum in a critical way. Students need to learn that history is a collection of often contested narratives and different perspectives. Helping students become better story-tellers and collectors themselves can help them accept multiple narratives.

Offer a Global Perspective

The United States is not the only country in the world to grapple with questions of identity, racism, and inclusiveness. Oftentimes gaining a global perspective on issues in one’s local community can provide lessons, greater capacity for empathy, and opportunities for collaboration on solutions to what are global issues. Young people all around the globe have an important stake in their own futures, but some have more agency and access than others. It is important for educators and communities to open up the world to students and allow them to see themselves as part of a larger narrative. Examining an event like the protests in Charlottesville allows young people anywhere in the world to ask themselves and their communities the same questions.

At Global Nomads Group (GNG), we believe in a generation of global citizens who are empathetic, aware, and taking action to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues during these transformative times. By leveraging technology, we allow students to work together virtually, across borders, to explore global citizenship and investigate how young people might engage our communities to create positive social change. GNG is committed to fostering dialogue and understanding between youth and educators so they are supported in an effort to build a more inclusive future.

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Global Nomads Group

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Fostering dialogue and understanding among the world's youth.

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