Middlesex University

Global citizenship and civil society through service learning

Programme Leader: John Annette, Professor of Citizenship and Political Studies, School of Social Sciences

Introduction to service learning approach

Although not funded as part of the Global Perspectives in Higher Education project, the partners felt that this case study complemented the exemplar modules developed through the project. Service learning involves students experientially learning for employability and active citizenship through engaging in community involvement on a partnership basis with a local or regional NGO. What is particularly striking about service learning is how it is developing internationally. Programmes can now be found in the Philippines, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, the UK, Eastern and Central Europe, Australia and South Africa, as well as in the USA.

The Institute for Community Development at Middlesex University has established an 'International Service Learning Programme' which provides learning opportunities for international students and exchange students from abroad to learn about citizenship and community development in a global context. It also enables UK Middlesex students to engage in service learning in local and regional NGOs either in the UK or abroad, through exchange programmes with university partners in the USA and South Africa.

There are plans to expand the network of participating countries. Funding is being sought to run an annual conference for all the staff, students and community leaders involved to review university and community partnership working and community development, and to create new global civil society networks. Modules on 'Global Citizenship and Civil Society' and 'Community Based Learning' are now accredited across most subjects in the University.

Key issues

  • Service learning can provide students with opportunities to develop the key skills and capabilities to understand the processes of globalisation which are shaping their lives and enable them to develop as global citizens.
  • The development of a global network of university-community service learning partnerships could help higher education institutions contribute to the development of a global civil society and assist local communities in having a democratic voice concerning the process of globalisation.
  • There is a need for a more analytical framework for understanding how service learning can lead to an increase in active citizenship and the elements of service learning programmes which are essential to achieving this.
  • Any analysis of service learning internationally will need to consider the outcomes for both students and local communities.

More examples of practice:

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