Inspiring Youth to Become Active Global Citizens

Through speaker presentations, student workshops, and after school clubs, GCC engaged 1,440 students in the NY and Chicago area to explore, speak out, and take action on various global poverty issues.

In New York, GCC brought over 95 students from nine high schools together for a collaborative day exploring the theme of "Displacement: Fleeing Harm, Finding Home" for the 8th Annual NY Global Summit Workshop. Students worked with Concern field staff to explore solutions to the displacement crises in the Philippines, South Sudan, Syria, and Haiti. 

In Chicago, GCC worked with over 75 students from six high schools to explore the theme of "Women and Girls: The Key to the Future" for the 3rd Annual Chicago Student Workshop. Students learned about the state of women and girls in the developing world and identified solutions across a number of sectors that would improve the lives of women and girls in poverty.

GCC also faciliated a number of workshops on "Dreams for a Better Future", encouraging students to think about how they can make a difference in the lives of others using their passions and interests. Students made inspiration boards and wrote messages of hope on their arms for a collection of dream photos to share with others.

Links:

• Students Dream Big for a Better World

Global Concerns Classroom (GCC) kicked-off the 2013-14 school year with continued partnerships with educators to foster global learning and action in US secondary students. Through school presentations, student workshops, and after school clubs, GCC reached 800 students to explore issues around global hunger, water, child survival, HIV and AIDS, and education.

Our first Bake A Difference campaign launched around World Food Day in October. Students learned about global hunger and raised awareness in their school communities about the issue. Participating schools collectively raised over $1,200 to support Concern Worlwide's health and nutrition programs in the developing world.

GCC also reached 600 educators through conferences, workshops, and professional development training including exhibiting at the National Social Studies Conference in St Louis. In collaboration with member organizations from the NYC Global Education Coalition, GCC hosted a two-day professional development workshop for educators on fostering global competency at Bank Street College of Education in NYC.

As one educator commented, "GCC materials are super compelling; my students are highly engaged and really motivated. The lessons involve critical thinking and research and the activities are really varied. They learn about issues that are actually happening and put them in roles that they could hypothetically contribute to.”

We look forward to hosting the 8th Annual Global Concerns Student Workshop in February, where 100 high school students will gather in NYC to explore the theme of "Displacement: Fleeing Harm, Finding Home".

Links:

• Bake A Difference Student Blog Article
• Fostering Global Competency Workshop for Educators