What’s the Solution to Ignorance, Hate, and Discord?

Growing Globally Competent Students Can Change the World

Lucy Gray
Lucy Gray
Sep 9, 2018 · 4 min read

It’s time to step our efforts to uplift and educate young people so that they have a better understanding and appreciation of the world and humanity. Hate crimes are on the rise in the US and elsewhere; many parts of the world have experienced a rise in populism, too. It is vital to prepare today’s students to live and thrive in a complex and changing world as they are our future problem solvers. Instead of reacting with fear and ignorance to challenges such as immigration, climate change, and other issues, young people will need to be proactive when seeking solutions to issues that affect the entire world, not just individual countries.

Schools can actively work to foster global citizenship by adopting a global competence framework that guides instruction and district initiatives. Several frameworks exist including those produced by the Asia Society, World Savvy, ASCD, and the U.S Department of Education. P21 has also developed materials for districts interested in incorporating a global perspective into their work and many educators are incorporating lessons based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into their curricula. Most notably, Project Zero at Harvard University has worked with the OECD to develop a comprehensive framework and global citizenship PISA assessment of student skills around the world. Teaching for global competence is not another program to be added to a school’s jammed packed repertoire; these frameworks can be layered upon existing curriculum work.

Since 2007, the Global Education Conference Network has existed for the purpose of bringing together students, educators, and organizations that are interested in globally connected teaching and learning. This is our mission:

The Global Education Conference Network is a collaborative, world-wide community initiative involving students, educators, and organizations at all levels. It is designed to significantly increase opportunities for building education-related connections around the globe while supporting cultural awareness, recognition of diversity, and educational access for all.

The conference seeks to present ideas, examples, and projects related to connecting educators and classrooms with a strong emphasis on promoting global awareness, fostering global competency, and inspiring action towards solving real-world problems. Through this event, it is our hope that attendees will challenge themselves and others to become more active citizens of the world. Let us learn, question, create, and engage in meaningful, authentic opportunities within a global context!

Our community believes that technology plays an essential role in enhancing global understanding as many of us regularly connect to others around the world in various professional learning networks via technology. Globally connected teaching deepens learning and gives meaning to leveraging technology within a school.

In 2010, Steve Hargadon and I partnered to launch our inaugural free, online conference and our events have grown to include Global Education Day at ISTE, the Global Leadership Summit and our back-to-school event, Global Collaboration Week. All of these events are part of our GlobalEd Events label as our work now entails more than just our original conference. Since 2010, we’ve hosted approximately 20 virtual and face-to-face events for thousands of educators. These events have presented opportunities to learn from and connect with some of the most innovative thinkers and educators in the world. Our events have also presented opportunities for educators to join projects and organizations in the quest to collaborate beyond borders for the benefit of today’s students. We do this work in partnership with many amazing organizations that have actively participated in our community.

http://globalcollaborationweek.org

We are now gearing up for another cycle of exciting and inspirational global education events. Global Collaboration Week takes place September 17-21, 2018, and will feature online collaborative events designed by educators and organizations. There will be opportunities to see global collaboration in action for students, teachers, and organization leaders from the K12 and higher education sectors. The public is welcome to join these events and/or to host an event that relates to globally connected teaching and learning.

http://globaleducationconference.com

Other events are on our horizon. Our 9th annual Global Education Conference will take place online between November 12–15, 2018, and the call for proposals is currently open. Keynote speakers will be announced soon.

On March 15th, we’re excited to partner with ASCD on our fourth annual Global Leadership Summit. Make sure to save the date and join in Chicago for this face-to-face event. Registration will be opening soon for the Global Leadership Summit at ASCD’s Empower19 conference.

Please consider joining us in our journey to connect educators and organizations around the world. Get involved in our events and together, we can make a positive difference.

Global Education Connections

Global Education Connections is produced by GlobalEd Events and the Global Education Conference Network. Find news, ideas, and resources for connecting classrooms and organizations worldwide. Contributions from global educators are welcome!

Lucy Gray

Written by

Lucy Gray

Apple Distinguished Educator Lucy Gray is an education technology and social media consultant; co-founder of the Global Education Conference. http://goo.gl/MZEg

Global Education Connections

Global Education Connections is produced by GlobalEd Events and the Global Education Conference Network. Find news, ideas, and resources for connecting classrooms and organizations worldwide. Contributions from global educators are welcome!

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