Meet the recipients of the 2023 Generation Global Educator Awards

From their learner:

"Generation Global by far has been one of the best programs that I've taken part in. It has given me the suitable platform where I can put my skills and best attributes to the best use. I can learn about new issues and topics and become a global citizen and discuss them with peers all around the world. How amazing !. Since I've joined this platform I've been able to attain so much new information and gain skills like public speaking, respecting others' point of view and critical thinking. These skills can help me further on in my life and this has enabled me to explore my capabilities and recognize my limitations. Hats off to the Generation global team for this amazing platform!!"

From their colleague:

"The issues were incorporated in classroom teaching wherein we not only discussed these issues but made relevant connections to the topics being taught in the class. For example the role of social media during the freedom struggle and now. How is social media impacting the Government, economy and common man? The greatest thing they have learnt through these dialogues is the belief they have the power to change themselves and the world thereby taking ownership after endeavors and volunteering to other commitments more readily. We see that this has empowered the students by developing the listening and communicating skills while helping them practice empathy and understanding opinions of others. Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals with the chapters of Geography, have enabled the students to think more deeply every time they learn about a new region. The dialogue and the resources given have helped the students develop a larger perspective and given them a deeper insight into the concerned chapters."

From their learner:

"Generation Global is a wonderful platform for the youth to interact and attempt to solve the major global issues which need to be dealt with. It is a great opportunity for the whole school community as well as for the young minds to unlock their thinking caps. It is also a chance for us students to interact with other students to broaden the horizon of our knowledge along with bringing a positive change in the world. I express my deep gratitude towards the Generation Global authorities to facilitate this and provide us with this amazing opportunity."

From their colleague:

"Dialogue is a very important tool in teaching as it converts boring, dry topics to interesting and interactive topics. It involves using language to explore and build on ideas, challenge and question assumptions, and develops critical thinking and communication skills in peers."

From their learner:

"Generation Global provided me a platform to share my perspectives and ideas, foster camaraderie, celebrate diversity, and respect each other's perspective and ideas. It has helped me become a global citizen by providing me a chance to interact with people of different countries, cultures and beliefs. I started to see myself as a citizen of world rather than a single country."

From their colleague:

"Through partnerships with Generation Global we aim to broaden our students’ horizons and expose them to different worldviews. We believe that these experiences will not only enrich their lives but also equip them with the skills and mindset to address the global challenges we face. Generation Global Program offers a rich library of digital resources equipped with engaging activities for students to foster their Critical Thinking Skills. These resources have helped the students develop the skills and knowledge needed to engage with global issues. It has resulted not only in enhanced cultural awareness but has empowered the students with the knowledge, skill, and attitudes they need to engage in constructive dialogue and collaboration across cultural and religious boundaries."

From their learner:

"Dialogue gives us the power to appreciate the world, collaborate when dealing with global issues and build meaningful relationships with the people around you. I feel that it is great chance at this age of life, to interact with my global peers and enhance my communicational skills. Only with a few sessions I have noticed many changes in my own personality, I do not hesitate anymore to speak, I am confident for my speech and have become much more social."

From their colleague:

"Generation Global equips them with the skills, knowledge and attitude required to achieve the afore mentioned goal. It helps the child to put forth its views liberally in an environment where no one is judgmental of their individual and progressive ideas. It acts as a catalyst for the Junior Youth to embark upon their journey of self-realization as zestful and committed agents. The conferences held regularly have enhanced the vocabulary, eloquence, critical thinking and communication skills of our students. They find they have lost their fear of public speaking and are able to put forth their views confidently."

From their learner:

"I recently participated in a video conference on Hate Speech, organized by Generation Global. It was a very enlightening and engaging experience, as I got to interact with students from different schools across India. We discussed what hate speech is, how it affects our society and culture, and what we can do to prevent and counter it. I learned a lot from the perspectives and opinions of my peers, and I also shared my own thoughts and experiences."

From their colleague:

"My experience with Generation Global has been so enlightening that the school has 186 students registered so far along with four more teachers. Generation Global has helped in bringing in international dimensions in the classrooms. It has a ready reckoner for all the topics which not only helps in preparation but also helps in learning beyond the books... Generation Global not only offers a platform for interaction but also helps in preparing better global citizens. It makes the students more active listeners and understanding towards global issues."

From their learner:

"Generation Global has definitely helped me in learning the skills of dialogue as I have become a more patient listener and accepting and appreciating my peers' thoughts, personal experiences, and perspectives"

From their colleague:

"Generation Global aligns with the school’s mission where we believe and want students to connect globally and build up their confidence and eliminate hesitation in interacting with others. With the liberty to share their personal perspectives have made the students think creatively and made them eager to share their thoughts and perspectives with each other which make them eager and excited for every video conference."

From their learner:

"The Generation Global student conference was a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and effective communication in our interconnected world. I was amazed at how easily we could connect and relate to students from various countries and backgrounds, despite our differences. Through meaningful discussions and debates, I learned to appreciate the value of diverse perspectives and the need for collaborative problem-solving. This experience has left a lasting impact on me, motivating me to continue fostering cross-cultural understanding and working towards a more inclusive global community."

From their colleague:

"The utilization of Generation Global resources has significantly impacted my teaching practice by providing a platform for interactive and student-driven learning. Instead of traditional lectures, I've adopted a facilitator role, guiding students through discussions where they can critically analyze and reflect on global challenges. For example, during a unit on climate change, students utilized Generation Global resources to connect with peers from different parts of the world. This not only deepened their understanding of the global impact of climate change but also enhanced their communication and collaboration skills."

From their learner:

"This experience encouraged me to apply the principles of dialogue to my daily life. I became more aware of the significance of active listening, empathy, and respectful communication, even when discussing sensitive topics. Moreover, the conference highlighted how fake news and misinformation are not confined to one region but have a global reach. This realization motivated me to broaden my horizons and actively seek out diverse perspectives on social and political issues. I started following international news sources, participating in online discussions, and connecting with individuals from different parts of the world."

From their colleague:

"The impact of Generation Global on my teaching is profound. It has encouraged me to incorporate more global themes into my curriculum, making learning relevant and meaningful. My students have become more aware, compassionate, and confident citizens, eager to address pressing issues. Their enhanced communication and critical thinking skills are evident in their everyday interactions, as they now strive for solutions and advocate for positive change."

From their learner:

"Having such an amazing opportunity to talk to people from every corner of the world, engaging in a dialogue, learning about different cultures and traditions plays a great role to be a Global citizen. Through these conferences we gain so much knowledge about what is really going around us. Hearing Other’s perception, discussing issues and finding similarities in problems we all are facing connects us. Generation Global prepares us to really understand how important it is to reach out and find solutions on our own. Because Communication is the Best Solution."

From their colleague:

"Generation Global resources have helped our students to explore topics related to civic responsibility, democracy, and global citizenship. They have encouraged students to take action on global issues they are passionate about. We have also undertaken special projects wherein we incorporate Generation Global dialogue into research projects or presentations on global topics. The school organizes parent-teacher dialogue or community discussions on global issues to involve the broader school community. It encourages parents to participate in dialogues to promote cross-generational understanding. The school also offers professional development sessions for teachers to learn how to effectively facilitate Generation Global dialogue which is used to foster teacher collaboration on global education initiatives. They are also taught conflict resolution skills using Generation Global resources to create a more harmonious school environment. For instance: they address bullying or interpersonal conflicts through structured dialogues."

From their learner:

"On a personal note, before engaging in this platform, I used to speak very quickly, which would create a boundary of miscommunication as many people with whom I used to talk could not understand me well. However, after attending many VCs and using the skills of dialogue, I have learnt to be a better speaker, by speaking slower and more clearly so that I can express myself properly in front of others and understand their feelings as well. Understanding the feelings of my friends, when they share their perspectives, is only possible because I’ve given them a safe space to pour their hearts out to, which was in retrospect possible because Generation Global gave me the safe platform in the very beginning."

From their colleague:

"Thanks to the transformative resources and engaging dialogues fostered by Generation Global, I've undergone a profound shift in my openness to diverse ideas and perspectives. No longer confined within the boundaries of comfort, students embark on voyages to explore the world, confidently expressing their viewpoints while respecting the rich tapestry of ideas woven by others. Our classrooms buzz with discussions that draw real-life examples from daily lives, unravelling the threads of topics like Hate Speech Online, wealth disparities and Global Citizenship."

From their learner:

"I was allotted the topic of rights and inequality by my teacher where I learnt about key differences around the world. This made me more aware about how we can all benefit from one another’s experience. We also promptly answered questions that were asked to us on the same; such as income inequality, and how to prevent it. Not only did I learn to participate actively through dialogue, but I also learnt the importance of listening and understanding the perspectives of others. Additionally, I engaged in critical thinking and reflection too! These were the key-skills I developed and practiced throughout the course."

From their colleague:

"Resources available from GG have been extremely useful to incorporate for the benefit of our learners and faculty. These align beautifully with the Cambridge International qualifications offered by us. Subjects like Global Perspectives, Economics, Business, Languages, Sciences, Mathematics, English Language and Literature, Information Technology and Communication, Computer Science and more under Cambridge curricula have similar approach and expectations as those of GG. Our leaners and faculty were able to make quick and suitable connections with these resources and benefits while participating in video conferences."

From their learner:

"I have attended online global conferences through a platform called generation global. I got to communicate with various students from all over the world like India, USA, China, Mexico, Indonesia, Taiwan and many more countries. I learnt various skills like how to communicate effectively across different cultures by sharing personal stories, values, and perspectives and respecting or challenging views of others. I improved my active listening skills to show empathy to my global peers on knowing their life stories and things happening around them in their country especially Ukraine and I improved my critical thinking skills"

From their colleague:

"The resources have enabled me to create a safe space for students where they can express themselves without any hesitation and at the same time be mindful of the expected protocols of showing respect to their peers. Global conversations, active listening, critical thinking and reflections have taken the TOK classes to a different level. As a relatively new teacher of the IB curriculum, the resources and experiences with Generation Global equipped me with a unique skillset of adapting with ease to the inquiry-based approach of the IBDP. I was able to guide the students to be brave risk – takers, good communicators and thinkers making them question ‘how do they know, what they know’ while teaching about concepts like knowledge and the knower in my TOK classes."