Generation Global Newsletter - Issue 1, 2024
Generation Global
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2024!
This edition is all about celebrating the fantastic ways our educators are bringing the programme to life in their classrooms, equipping learners with essential 21st-century skills. Be sure to check out the Generation Global Clubs in Action and the impact of a trailblazing teacher from Indonesia, along with her unique approach, in the blog below.
In line with our commitment to providing young voices a stage, we hosted our annual events – the SDG Dialogue Series and #MyFreedomDay dialogues. Yes, we went big, celebrating international days and delving into Sustainable Development Goals!
Hold onto your hats because we are rolling out the red carpet for the Educator Awards! Let’s give a big round of applause for 38 outstanding educators rocking global citizenship education in their classrooms.
And of course, a big shout-out to our partners – British Council, International Baccalaureate (IB), World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh (WACP), FREEST – for championing our cause and helping us spread the magic of dialogue.
Get ready for an adventure in every scroll! Happy Reading!
Best wishes,
The Generation Global Team
Introducing Our Award-Winning Educators
The Generation Global Educator Awards celebrate the impactful role of dialogue in education, honouring 38 outstanding educators worldwide across gold, silver, and bronze categories. These dedicated individuals inspire the next generation of global citizens, equipping them with essential skills for our interconnected world.
Congratulations to our award recipients! Discover more about these inspirational educators here.
UN SDGs on the Table
We organised the SDG Dialogue Series for learners to gain knowledge and engage in dialogue on four select United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Throughout January and February, 1400+ young people from more than 22 countries shared their personal experiences through live video conferences. Even though the series has concluded, you can still access all the teaching resources we developed for teaching SDGs in your classroom here.
Our Dialogue Course Takes Center Stage
Generation Global proudly announces that our transformative ‘Introduction to Dialogue’ Course is now available on the British Council website. Engaging over 480 educators globally, from Pakistan and Uzbekistan to Myanmar and Bangladesh, this course is reshaping classrooms and empowering students.
One educator from Russia shared, “I gained knowledge about various skill types, their characteristics, and the concepts of safe and brave spaces. Additionally, I acquired skills in utilising the Generation Global platform for guiding students in dialogues.” If you are interested in this course or know someone who could benefit, feel free to share this link with them for sign-up, and they can take it for free.
Youth Worldwide Unite Against Human Trafficking
Teaming up with FREEST, we marked #MyFreedomDay in March through a series of international youth dialogues dedicated to raising awareness and fostering understanding of human trafficking and slavery.
The dialogues were attended by more than 300 young people from about 25 countries. If you are an educator or facilitator interested in introducing this topic to young people in your learning community, download our free resources here.
Generation Global Clubs in Action
From India to Indonesia and across the Middle East, educators and youth are elevating the Generation Global programme through innovative clubs. We connected with some of them to learn about their exciting initiatives and best practices.
Explore our blog to uncover their inspiring ideas—you might find the inspiration to start your own club at your school. Read here.
Generation Global X World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh
Generation Global joined forces with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh (WACP) for engaging virtual dialogues. Youth aged 13-17 explored the intersections of Climate Action, Women and Girls, and Global Migration. Over 50 young minds from 10 countries actively participated over three days, sparking insightful conversations on these critical topics.
Some of the highlights from these thought-provoking dialogues among youth from Rwanda, India, and Ukraine included: Global Impact of Climate Change, Rwandan Perspective on Tidal Waves and livelihood, Indian Challenges in Seasonal Employment, Ukrainian Climate and Conflict Connection.
Generation Global Resources to Support IB Teaching
In partnership with theInternational Baccalaureate (IB), Generation Global hosted a special webinar for IB educators. The session introduced Generation Global’s library of dialogue skills-building activities, offering practical examples for creating dialogic classrooms. Educators gained insights into teaching core dialogue skills across academic subject areas, accessible on the IB Exchange platform.
Watch the recording here if you missed the event.
Nurturing Global Citizens in Indonesia
Meet Ibu Dyah Khomsiyati, a dedicated teacher at MTsN 1 Kota Malang, Indonesia, who is leading transformative change in her classroom. Through Generation Global, she’s empowering her students with essential 21st-century skills and nurturing them to become engaged global citizens.
Dive into her inspiring journey and learn about her unique take here.
Generation Global at World Education Summit
In March, Lucy Hayter, Director of Generation Global, participated in the World Education Summit. The focus was on “Dialogue Skills: For Communicating with the World,” aiming to uncover essential dialogue elements, identify key skills, and discuss methods for integrating dialogue into educational communities.
Global Opportunity for Young Innovators
Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), backed by Larry Ellison, introduces the Ellison Scholars Programme. This fully funded scholarship at the University of Oxford offers aspiring tech innovators the chance to address global challenges. Scholars engage in interdisciplinary projects, focusing on medical science, food security, clean energy, and government policy.
Spread the word to young individuals interested in this opportunity. Learn more here.
Generation Global Featured in UNESCO Global Education Coalition Annual Report
We are thrilled to share that the Generation Global programme has been featured in the UNESCO Global Education Coalition’s annual report for its impact in promoting global citizenship and fostering dialogue skills among young people globally.
The report highlights the Coalition’s fourth year of collaborative efforts, working towards inclusive and equitable education for all. Read the full report here.
“In the Generation Global video conference, I could utilise academic knowledge to ask questions related to global issues and learn about information that has genuinely sparked curiosity in me. It also influences my beliefs about certain countries. For example, in the dialogue on Rights and Inequalities, I asked about the Indian sati cultural practice and found out that this practice has long been stopped since the 1800s.”
It is amazing that one is not confined just to the UAE, but the programme allows you to spread your wings to the other parts of the world as well.”
Daphne, Learner
Taiwan
“As I train my students to sit in dialogue in a Generation Global platform, it helps me to understand that our world is beset with challenges and these young minds are capable to talk and tackle any issue that they may face in their community. Generation Global is a platform that allows the students to realise that inspite of class, culture, race, colour differences, they are a part of one community.”
Usaila Allam, Educator
Bangladesh