Empowering Rwandan youth with global citizenship skills

The Tony Blair Institute in collaboration with the Rwanda Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) and Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) has successfully implemented TBIs global citizenship education programme, Generation Global, across 10 schools in Kigali. The programme was aimed to equip young Rwandan students with the knowledge of global issues, life skills, and attitudes of open-mindedness to thrive in an interconnected world. Aligned with Rwanda’s competence-based curriculum framework, the programme addresses four crucial areas—ICT and digital competencies, Citizenship and National Identity, and Communication and Critical thinking.

The Generation Global programme, offers facilitated online video conference dialogues where young people engage in real-time, face-to-face communication with global peers, learning about different cultures, sharing perspectives, and developing communication and critical thinking skills. Additionally, the programme’s gamified and interactive online platform enables learners to hone essential dialogue skills, engage with over 17 global topics, and build intercultural connections through written and live interactions.

Under this collaboration, Generation Global has trained 70 teachers on dialogue pedagogy, core skills, practical activities and lesson plans linked with the Rwandan curriculum to incorporate dialogue-based learning into their everyday lessons. Teachers who have participated in the programme have reported a significant improvement in their understanding of dialogue and increased confidence in their abilities to teach dialogue to their students, thereby enhancing the educational experience for their students.

The programme exceeded its goals, reaching over 4,300 students and training 70 educators, surpassing the original target of 3,000 students and 50 educators. Through close to 90 video conferences, Rwandan students interacted with peers from 40 countries, across five continents, including Armenia, India, Ghana, the United States, Finland, Italy, and Malaysia. During these sessions, learners dialogued about pressing global topics such as the Future of Work, Climate Change, Peace and Security, Biodiversity, and Education. These exchanges not only enriched their understanding of global issues but also helped them develop empathy and life skills.

One student shared, “We were able to talk to different people in different schools, where we shared ideas. We were able to highlight different problems our communities are facing and come up with solutions that will contribute to the development of our nation, communities, and ourselves.”

Furthermore, teachers noted marked improvements in students’ attitudes towards diversity and their ability to engage in thoughtful discussions with peers from different cultural contexts. For instance, students who took part in video conferences reported an increase in warmth and openness toward individuals from diverse backgrounds, a key indicator of inclusivity and global citizenship. Students reported an 85% increase in their overall dialogue skills with the highest increase in active listening, critical thinking, and communication skills.

An unexpected yet powerful outcome of the programme was an increase in digital literacy skills in students. For many participants, activities such as setting up email accounts and navigating online platforms were new experiences. A teacher observed, “After participating in this programme students do no longer fear using digital tools in their activities,” reflecting the programme’s contribution to enhancing ICT skills.

The Generation Global programme in Rwanda has laid a strong foundation for promoting dialogue and open-mindedness among young people. The skills developed through this initiative will have a lasting impact, equipping the next generation of Rwandan students to engage thoughtfully with the world around them, fostering a culture of empathy, respect, and collaboration in their local and global communities.