Changing Horizons in Geography Education - HERODOT Network ...

An important template was provided by Oxfam with their definition of globalcitizenship (Oxfam 1997). This has three key elements:1. Knowledge and understanding• Social justice and equity• Diversity• Globalisation and interdependence• Sustainable development• Peace and conflict2. Values and attitudes• Sense of identity and self esteem• Empathy• Commitment to social justice and equity• Value and respect for diversity• Concern for the environment and commitment to sustainable development• Belief that people can make a difference3. Skills• Critical thinking• Ability to argue effectively• Ability to challenge injustice and inequalities• Co-operation and conflict resolutionFurther information to provide guidance to primary schools on teaching globalcitizenship is contained in the Oxfam handbook (Young 2002) and by Grimwade(2000).Recent research activitiesOur research project in the first year involved working intensely with a case studypartnership school St. Luke’s Primary in Kingston, London. Some initial awareness-raising of citizenship issues was completed during two professional trainingsessions with teachers. These involved carrying out a citizenship audit of what isactually happening in the school and developing a strategic plan for the next threeyears. The school has developed close links with a school in the Republic of SouthAfrica (RSA) and this became a particular focus for finding out how citizenship wasbeing developed there. A subsequent visit to the school revealed that the educationsystem in South Africa is changing rapidly and that the concept of citizenship thereis only in the early stages of development. Both schools worked on structuring a jointcurriculum for three years which could be developed in the UK and RSA. There havebeen many challenges to the development of this programme particularly throughthe lack of computer facilities in the RSA.The RSA has introduced a new curriculum called Outcomes Based Education thathas eight areas of learning. Citizenship is developed in a cross-curricular way throughthe Human and Social Sciences Learning and Life Orientation Learning areas. Pupilsadhere to rules that they devise and these are displayed in the classrooms. There arelessons on positive thinking and raising self-esteem. The children are taught rightfrom wrong and are made aware of the need to look after their environment e.g. not271