Description
As a part of their contribution to active participation in democratic life and civic engagement of future generations, European schools are requested to raise awareness of the principles of unity and diversity including all forms of inequality (e.g., economic, geographic, ethnic, political, related to gender, age, disability, or personal choices about sexual orientation and religion).
Yet, teachers often lack the knowledge and skills to address such an issue.
The course will provide school teachers with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to understand inequalities in the world through Global Citizenship Education (GCE).
GCE is a discipline promoted by UNESCO to spread the understanding that goals such as human rights violations, inequality, and poverty still threaten peace and sustainability, and “are global, not local issues.” GCE aims to help the youngest generations “become active promoters of more peaceful, tolerant, inclusive, secure and sustainable societies.”
During the course, participants will learn about the different forms of inequalities, their causes and effects, and how global citizenship education can be used as a tool to promote equity and social justice.
By the end of the course, they will have learned about different pedagogical approaches and strategies for implementing global citizenship education in the classroom, as well as strategies for creating inclusive and equitable learning environments.
Learning outcomes
The course will help the participants to:
- Understand the causes and effects of different forms of inequalities in the world;
- Learn about global citizenship education as a tool for promoting equity and social justice;
- Develop an understanding of different pedagogical approaches and strategies for implementing global citizenship education in the classroom;
- Create inclusive and equitable learning environments;
- Incorporate global citizenship education into the curriculum;
- Create a school culture that promotes social justice and equity;
- Involve students, families, and the community in promoting equity and social justice;
- Share and learn best practices and strategies from other European countries in promoting equity and social justice through global citizenship education.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Introduction to reducing inequalities and global citizenship education
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Introduction to the importance of addressing inequalities in the world through global citizenship education;
- Icebreaker activities;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools;
- Understanding the causes and effects of different forms of inequalities in the world.
Day 2 – Pedagogical approaches for implementing global citizenship education
- Understanding global citizenship education as a tool for promoting equity and social justice;
- Pedagogical approaches and strategies for implementing global citizenship education in the classroom;
- Group discussion and activities on creating inclusive and equitable learning environments.
Day 3 – Promoting equity and social justice in classroom and school
- Incorporating global citizenship education into the curriculum;
- Creating a school culture that promotes social justice and equity;
- Group discussion and activities on involving students, families, and the community in promoting equity and social justice.
Day 4 – Collaborative strategies for promoting equity and social justice
- Strategies for creating a positive and supportive classroom environment Collaborative strategies for promoting equity and social justice;
- Group discussion and activities on how to collaborate with colleagues to promote equity and social justice
Day 5 – Implementing strategies for reducing inequalities and global citizenship education in practice and best practice sharing
- Review of the week’s topics and discussion on how to implement them in practice;
- Planning for the next steps and creating an action plan;
- Final reflections and evaluations, sharing best practices and strategies from other European countries.
Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.