By Lauren Backhouse
The term “global citizen” will likely be familiar to many of us working within the education sector. Over the past decade, a focus on Global Citizenship Education (GCE) has gradually established itself within curriculum development plans, professional development sessions, and more. At its core, GCE focuses on teaching students to think beyond the country or community to which they belong. Instead, it encourages them to consider what they can do to address global issues and help ensure that the world is a fair, just, and equitable place.
The need for global citizens who are able to empathise, collaborate, and think critically has become increasingly urgent in today’s progressively interconnected—yet increasingly divided—society. But it can be a challenge to present students with opportunities to truly see the lived realities experienced by others.
Lauren Backhouse is an experienced educational leader currently serving as Global Citizenship Lead at Budapest British International School. She holds an MSc in Education and is passionate about fostering global citizenship in her classroom.
