News
12 June 2008 - Prime Minister backs DEA call for more global learning
On Wednesday 11 June, Prime Minister Gordon Brown backed DEA's call for more global learning to take place in schools across England. In Global Matters a new DEA publication which was launched in Westminster by DFID Minister Shahid Malik MP, and QCA Director of Curriculum Mick Waters, the Prime Minister wrote a foreword which emphasises his commitment to young people learning about global issues and the impact that their own actions has on people in other countries.
In his foreword, the Prime Minister says,
"I want to see the teaching of global issues given more weight in our schools and colleges - and already we have taken steps to make issues like globalisation, environmental sustainability and citizenship a core part of the curriculum. For it is only through education that we will foster citizens with the conviction to speak out against world poverty, that we will find the creativity we need to tackle climate change and that we will produce the next generation of social entrepreneurs.
"Only by sharing best practice in education can we equip our young people with the ability to be truly global citizens and I am proud that the Government, through the Department for International Development, is supporting DEA in its work to raise standards in the teaching of global issues."
Global Matters is a feature publication which brings together a collection of 14 case studies of global learning taking place in schools and youth work. From the Norwich school using IT lessons to conduct joint projects with schools in Africa and the USA to the rural Oxfordshire primary encouraging children to think for themselves in combating stereotypes of the developing world, it enables teachers to highlight how global learning enhances the education of their pupils.
Hetan Shah, Chief Executive of education charity DEA, said,
"These case studies highlight some of the fantastic examples of global learning already taking in place in some schools across the country, and more of this is crucial if young people are to thrive in today's globalised world. The Prime Minister's recognition of this is a great step forward and we hope that this will now be reflected in changes to education policy, such as the results of the DCSF's ongoing review of primary curriculum."
The launch event saw around 70 guests come together from education bodies, NGOs and political parties.