Education

for Global
Citizenship
A guide for schools
WE MUST FOSTER GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP.
EDUCATION IS ABOUT MORE THAN LITERACY
AND NUMERACY. IT IS ALSO ABOUT CITIZENRY.
EDUCATION MUST FULLY ASSUME ITS
ESSENTIAL ROLE IN HELPING PEOPLE TO
FORGE MORE JUST, PEACEFUL AND
TOLERANT SOCIETIES.
Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General (2012)
Contents
Education for global citizenship 5
Oxfams definition 5
Essential education 6
Excellent education 7
An introduction to Oxfams Curriculum for Global Citizenship 8
Global citizenship in the classroom 9
Global citizenship across the curriculum 12
A whole-school approach to global citizenship 14
Oxfams Curriculum for Global Citizenship 16
Further resources and support 22

Photo: Nigel Willmott

3
Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Preface
Whether you are an experienced headteacher or just starting out on your teaching career, this guide can help you
develop your schools curriculum in inspiring new ways. It draws on more than 50 years of Oxfams work with educators,
ongoing feedback from teachers and school leaders, and Oxfams core beliefs and values.
Mindful of how much the world has changed since Oxfams Curriculum for Global Citizenship was first published in
1997, Oxfam has worked with educators to review and update our guidance. In a continually shifting global context,
our interpretation of what it means to educate for global citizenship is not set in stone. Furthermore, while Oxfams
Curriculum for Global Citizenship has resonated with educators around the world, it has been developed within the
context of formal education in the United Kingdom, and we make no claims for it to be definitive in this or any other
context. This guide is therefore meant not to prescribe but to inspire and inform further thinking, discussion and
curriculum development. If it succeeds in doing so, it will have fulfilled its purpose.
For practical guidance on classroom practice, we recommend that this guide is used alongside its sister Oxfam
publication, Global Citizenship in the Classroom: A guide for teachers.

Photo: John McLaverty

Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to the following for their advice in the 2015 revision of this guide: Heather Abel, Yvette Allen, Nasrullah Anwar, Clive Belgeonne, Douglas Bourn,
Liz Brown, Bill Burson, Susan Bush, Shane Claridge, Helen Cox, William Essilfie, Helen Griffin, Fran Hunt, Avril Keating, Natalya Kan, Ruth Najda, Laura Oxley, Sylvia
Paddock, Richard Smith, Lisa Taner, Julie Thorpe, Rob Unwin and the International Development Education Association of Scotland. Oxfam, however, takes full
responsibility for the final text.

4
 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Education for Global Citizenship:

The Global Citizen
Oxfams definition Oxfam sees the global citizen as
A transformative vision of education someone who:
Education for global citizenship is a framework to equip learners for critical Is aware of the wider world and
and active engagement with the challenges and opportunities of life in a has a sense of their own role as a
fast-changing and interdependent world. It is transformative, developing the world citizen.
knowledge and understanding, skills, values and attitudes that learners need Respects and values diversity.
both to participate fully in a globalised society and economy, and to secure a Has an understanding of how the
more just, secure and sustainable world than the one they have inherited. world works.
Is passionately committed to
Learning, thinking and acting social justice.
Oxfam believes that young peoples learning, thinking and actions both
Participates in the community at
now and in their adult lives are integral to the achievement of that more
a range of levels, from the local
just, secure and sustainable global future. Therefore, alongside a rigorous
to the global.
development of global understanding and multiple perspectives, an education
Works with others to make the
for global citizenship should also include opportunities for young people to
world a more equitable and
develop their skills as agents of change and to reflect critically on this role.
sustainable place.
This guide containing Oxfams Curriculum for Global Citizenship (set out on Takes responsibility for their
pages 16-21) gives further definition to this vision of education. actions.

Some views from learners in Oxfams World Shaper schools:

Reflect AND DISCUSS
Being a global What do you see as the main
citizen means you can purposes of education?
empathise and put yourself There is a variety of views about
in other peoples shoes, the meaning of global citizenship.
So how would you define a global
and have similar dreams
citizen? How do your ideas
and want everyone compare with Oxfams?
to be equal.
A global citizen is
somebody who contributes to
the wider world community.
They dont just follow the crowd,
they are their own person and they
want to make a difference but
they know they cant do it
on their own.
Being a global I think global
citizen means citizenship is having a
knowing about current special mindset of being
optimistic and having the special
issues around qualities that makes you think
the world. about whats going to happen
in the future and how you
can change it.

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 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Essential education
The Global IS LOCAL
Around the world there is a growing recognition of the fundamental We are linked as never before to
importance of educating for global citizenship because: other people on every continent:
All learners need a safe space in which to explore complex and controversial Socially and culturally through
global issues they encounter through the media and their own experiences, the media, telecommunications,
and school can provide this. Even very young children are already trying to travel and migration.
make sense of a world marked by division, conflict, environmental change, Economically through trade.
inequality and poverty. Environmentally through sharing
one planet.
It has a critical role to play in equipping a generation with the vision and
means to rise to complex challenges that transcend national borders. Politically through international
relations and systems of
We live in an increasingly globalised and interconnected world in which the regulation.
global is part of our everyday lives, and analysis of seemingly local issues
benefits from global perspectives.
Research (for example, by Think Global) and our own work in schools have
shown the demand from learners.

THE TIES THAT BIND ARE CHAINS OF CAUSE AND EFFECT

THAT PROMPT OBLIGATIONS OF JUSTICE RATHER THAN
SYMPATHY, PITY OR BENEFICENCE.
Andrew Dobson, Professor of Political Science, University of Keele

Photo: Nigel Willmott

6
 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Excellent education
Teachers and school leaders have recognised that global citizenship education can develop and enhance values and
skills they see as integral to their educational aims and school ethos. In short, they see it as synonymous with their
understanding of excellent education and integral to a broad and balanced curriculum.
Education for global citizenship can support a wide range of school-improvement priorities and educational outcomes.
That is because it involves a wealth of real-life contexts for learning, which can inspire learners and raise their
motivation and attainment. It also emphasises developing skills in critical and creative thinking, reasoning and
communication. The wide range of participatory teaching and learning methodologies supports learners acquisition of
such skills as well as their understanding of the global context of their lives.

LEARNERS ARE COMING TO US WITH GLOBAL CAUSES AND CONCEPTS THAT

THEY WANT TO EXPLORE AND CHAMPION. THEY ARE SAYING: WE HAVE A RIGHT
TO LEARN ABOUT THIS IN OUR SCHOOL; PLEASE CAN YOU TEACH US OR HELP
US TO TEACH OURSELVES, AND THATS BEEN DELIGHTFUL.
Richard Smith, Curriculum and Innovation Director, St Johns Marlborough

Global citizenship involves... It is not....

asking questions and critical thinking telling people what to think and do

e
 xploring local-global connections and our views, only about far away places and peoples
values and assumptions
e
 xploring the complexity of global issues and engaging providing simple solutions to complex issues
with multiple perspectives
exploring issues of social justice locally and globally focused on charitable fundraising

applying learning to real-world issues and contexts abstract learning devoid of real-life application and
outcomes
o
 pportunities for learners to take informed, reflective tokenistic inclusion of learners in decision-making
action and have their voices heard
all ages too difficult for young children to understand

all areas of the curriculum an extra subject

enrichment of everyday teaching and learning just a focus for a particular day or week

the whole school environment limited to the classroom

CHILDRENS VALUES AND ATTITUDES TO LEARNING ARE

TRANSFORMED BY THE CONTENT OF WHAT THE GLOBAL
CITIZENSHIP CURRICULUM CAN PROVIDE.
Shane Claridge, Deputy Headteacher, Rhodes Avenue Primary School

EXAMS FORM ONLY HALF OF THE STORY

WE ALSO WANT TO SEND OUT ROUNDED
INDIVIDUALS, AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP IS A
MASSIVE PART OF THE WAY WE DO THAT.
Claire Robins, Headteacher, Sir John Lawes School

7
Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

An introduction to Oxfams Curriculum Reflect AND DISCUSS

for Global Citizenship What do you think are the most
The key elements for developing active and responsible global citizenship important values and attitudes,
are identified below as: knowledge and understanding, skills, values and areas of knowledge and
attitudes. The curriculum outline on pages 16-21 explains what Oxfam means understanding, and skills that
by each of these key elements, breaking them down to show progression learners need in the world today
from early years through to the 16-19 phase. Thus, skills such as cooperation and in the future?
and communication, begun in the early years, should continue to develop How do your ideas compare with
throughout a learners education. the key elements defined by
Oxfam?
The curriculum outline offers an inexhaustive and non-prescriptive guide,
merely to stimulate to further thinking, discussion and planning.

Knowledge and understanding Skills Values and attitudes

Social justice and equity Critical and creative thinking Sense of identify and self-esteem

Identity and diversity Empathy Commitment to social justice and

equity
Globalisation and interdependence Self-awareness and reflection Respect for people and human rights

Sustainable development Communication Value diversity

Peace and conflict Cooperation and conflict resolution Concern for the environment
and commitment to sustainable
development
Human rights Ability to manage complexity and Commitment to participation and
uncertainty inclusion
Power and governance Informed and reflective action Belief that people can bring about
change

Photo: Caroline Irby

8
 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Global Citizenship in the classroom

Oxfams Global Citizenship in
Education for global citizenship uses a multitude of participatory teaching the Classroom: A guide for
and learning methodologies, including discussion and debate, role play, teachers contains detailed
ranking exercises, cause and consequence activities, and communities of guidance on how to use a wide
enquiry. These methods are not unique to education for global citizenship range of favourite teaching
but, used in conjunction with a global perspective, they can advance tools associated with global
global understanding while fostering skills such as critical thinking, citizenship education, including:
questioning, communication and cooperation. They also enable learners to Why-why-why chains
explore, develop and express their own values and opinions, while listening Consequences chains
respectfully to others viewpoints. This is an important step towards learners
Issue trees
making informed choices about how they engage with global issues. The
Mysteries
following case studies highlight how teachers have successfully developed
Opinion continuums
a focus on global citizenship in their curriculum development. They provide
insights into how global citizenship can enrich different areas of the Diamond nine ranking
curriculum across the age range. The guide also contains a
framework to support the
More guidance on how global citizenship relates to all areas of the curriculum planning of individual units of
appears on pages 12-13, and details of further available support can be found classroom work.
on pages 22-23.

Reflect AND DISCUSS

How can global citizenship
deepen learning within and
across your schools curriculum?

Photo: Georgie Scott/GCE UK

9
 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

ENT
AP PROACH TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPM
CASE STUDY A CROSS-CURRICUL AR and Liverpool
Following staff training from Oxfam
ds Primary
World Centre, teachers at Woodlan
ed new units
School in Liverpool, develop
development
exploring ideas around sustainable
dren,
for infants using Philosophy for Chil
s and boo ks by Michael
local educational visit
four to five , they
Foreman. For learners aged
and a visit to
used Foremans One World book
act of human
a country park to consider the imp
ile teachers
actions on the environment. Meanwh
and all that rubbish
used Foremans Dinosaurs
5-7 year
and a trip to a recycling centre with
ision of
olds to explore our world and its prov
d and,
the materials, food and water we nee
hers generated cros s-cu rricu lar links
ple can mak e a diffe renc e to sus tainability issues. In so doing teac Chil dren to
how peo use of Philosophy for
, R.E. , geo grap hy, dan ce and computing. In both units, the
with literacy, scie nce learners, stunning their
king arou nd glob al env iron men tal concerns drew the best out of
encourage critical thin
teachers in the process: to
ed tha t chi ldre n so you ng cou ld discuss, debate and find solutions
We were very surpris ely, and adults
tha t are glo bal in sig nifi can ce. They can argue their case effectiv to
problems no pre -conceived ideas about their ability
ng chi ldre n sho uld hav e
working with very you
engage with global issues. dlands Primary School
nerships Coordinator, Woo
Andrew Cowderoy, International Part

CASE STUDY Exploring gender inequalities through Religious Educ

ation
Learners aged 13-14 at Craigie High School
in Dundee explored gender inequalities in
education as part of their Core Religious and
Moral Education. After investigating issues
surrounding girls accessing education,
examining case studies, and discussing possible
solutions, learners produced an issue tree. They
used this to identify the impacts and root causes
of gender inequalities in education, and also
possible solutions. This unit was developed by
Katie Kirk as part of the Teach Global Ambassador
programme run by the International Development
Education Association of Scotland. Katie reports
that the methodologies she learnt through this
programme allowed her to develop her learners ownership of the issue
and their critical thinking
skills and empathy.

What shone through for me was the pupils feeling of injustice. We

often assume our
pupils are desensitised to many of the global issues, but when given
the opportunity to
really explore an issue its root causes, the impact it actually has on
people, and possible
solutions the pupils were sharing their opinions, discussing ideas
and listening to each
other. They knew how much their voice counted.
Katie Kirk, Teacher of Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies, Craigie
High School

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 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Case study Globalising maths

Uffington Primary School in Oxfordshire combined
maths and global citizenship for upper primary-
age learners using Oxfams Everyone Counts
resource. Closely linked to the maths curricula
in England, Scotland and Wales, the resource is
based on a longitudinal study of 20,000 children
living in Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam from
2000-2015. Using real-life case studies and
statistics, learners were able to develop their
skills in data handling and telling the time while
also engaging with global issues. Uffington
teachers used a wide variety of participatory
methods to engage their learners, including
the use of hoops to create Venn diagrams for
comparing different perspectives on the meaning of well-being, and
infographics to compare statistics such as
the percentage of children attending primary school in each country
. The project culminated in learners leading an
assembly, based on Everyone Counts, to which parents were invited.

It opened up a whole world of things I didnt know. I thought all India

was poor but
actually there are rich areas too.
Learner from year 3 and 4 class

I liked learning not just about our country but about different count
ries too and I liked
the real data.
Learner from year 5 and 6 class

Dealing with real-life data made maths more purposeful for the childr
en.
Carol Turner, Maths Coordinator, Uffington Primary School

CASE STUDY FOOD TECHNOLOGY, SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS AND

ACTIVE GLOBAL citizenship
School in London developed a secondary-
With the support of Oxfams World Shapers programme, Deptford Green
in Kampala and Rainbow College in Lagos.
level food technology project with their partner schools, St Kizito School
knowledge and understanding of nutrition
The project aimed to develop learners research skills and deepen their
tes and agents for change. Learners from
and the global food system. It also developed learners skills as advoca
each school undertook research to track the
impact of changes in the price of food on their
local communities. They visited local food markets,
interviewing traders and customers and noting the
prices and nutritional value of the food on sale, and
exploring the impacts of price changes on shopping
habits and nutrition. Learners then collated the
findings of the three schools and reflected on the
similarities and differences. Deptford Green School
also used the project as an opportunity for learners
to meet with their Member of Parliament. They
presented their project evidence and asked the MP
to hold the UK Government to account for playing
its full part in overcoming hunger.

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Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Global Citizenship across the curriculum

Global citizenship enriches all areas of the school curriculum, and each subject has an important contribution to make
in developing the key elements outlined on page 8. Here are just some of the ways in which subject curricula and global
citizenship can be developed in a mutually beneficial manner:

Art and Design

explore how global issues and themes such as identity, shared humanity, difference, diversity, conflict and justice are
represented in art
recognise different perspectives, ideas, beliefs and values
provide opportunities to learn about, and from, different cultures through handling images and artefacts

Citizenship
engage with issues of social justice, human rights, community cohesion and global interdependence
provide opportunities to challenge injustice, inequalities and discrimination through informed, responsible action
explore issues of diversity, identity and belonging
learn about power and governance, and analyse the causes and consequences of unequal power relations

Design and Technology (including food)

explore the impacts of design and technology on the world and on quality of life
address sustainability issues in product design
consider social, environmental and economic contexts of products, and sustainable technology
analyse ethical and sustainability issues in food systems, and social, economic, environmental and political factors
affecting nutrition

English, Media Studies and Drama

develop empathy, communication skills and the ability to argue effectively, considering insights into issues common to the
personal and global spheres, such as prejudice and conflict
provide opportunities to use exploration of global issues as real-life contexts for developing core skills (for example,
persuasive writing and spoken language)
develop media critical literacy, and explore representation of peoples and places and the hegemony of English language
and western ways of seeing the world
explore values, beliefs and experiences of different groups of people, and other ways of seeing and knowing, drawing on
texts and thinking from a range of cultures and traditions

Geography
question, investigate and critically engage with issues affecting peoples lives throughout the world
develop understanding of global interconnectedness and interdependence, and of sustainable development
provide engaging real-world issues and data to support core geographical skills
address diversity and identity issues through the investigation of differences and similarities between people,
places, environments and cultures, and through the exploration of different values and attitudes in relation to social,
environmental, economic and political questions

History
explore differences and similarities between events, people, places, cultures and environments through time, and the
interconnectedness and interdependence of our worlds history
consider questions of power and privilege, and critically think about reasons why history is interpreted in different ways
consider significance of individual and collective action and questions of civic and social responsibility
explore themes such as inequality, prejudice, conflict and oppression and relating historical examples to contemporary
events and experiences

Computing and ICT

develop computational thinking, applications and creativity to understand and solve real-world problems
use real-world data on global issues for data logging, data handling, data modelling and control
consider impacts of ICT on individuals, communities and society, including the social, economic and ethical implications of
access to and use of ICT (for example, impacts on globalisation, poverty, inequality, democracy, diversity and conflict)
develop critical thinking and online media literacy

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 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Mathematics
provide opportunities to illustrate mathematical concepts and processes by means of global issues and data
use and apply mathematics to real-world problems and data (for example, international development data)
provide opportunities to consider the influence of different cultures on mathematics
develop critical thinking around use, presentation and manipulation of data

Modern Foreign Languages

explore issues of identity and diversity by considering similarities and differences between peoples, places, cultures and
languages
develop awareness of global interconnectedness in that languages are continually evolving and borrowing from each other
develop knowledge and appreciation of different cultures and their world views
provide opportunities to explore global issues while developing reading, writing and spoken language skills
explore diverse national and regional contexts in which languages are spoken across different continents (for example,
French in West Africa and the Caribbean, and Spanish in Latin America)

Music
explore how music expresses identity, belonging and feelings in personal life
consider how music is used to protest at social injustice and promote visions of positive change
develop appreciation of diversity and global interconnectedness through exploring the fusion and cross-fertilisation of
various musical traditions and the common elements in different musical traditions

Modern Studies (Scotland)

explore the social, political, environmental and economic aspects of local, national and global development issues
explore the shaping of society, democracy and power relationships, developing understanding of global
interconnectedness and interdependence
make connections between issues of social justice and equality at home and abroad
develop active participation and critical thinking skills, and informed values and attitudes to social studies

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

develop knowledge of different types of rights
engage with issues of diversity, identity and equality through the exploration of similarities and differences between people
and their experiences, and the discussion of social and moral dilemmas
explore well-being in all senses and key factors in this (both local and global), and causes and consequences of economic
inequalities
consider how use, abuse and inequalities of power from local to global levels can affect the well-being of individuals and
communities

Physical Education
develop cooperation skills and an appreciation of interdependence through teamwork
promote a sense of fair play, mutual respect, and the ability to manage emotions and conflict
provide opportunities to challenge cultural, gender and racial stereotypes and to explore both the relationship between
sport and identity, and issues such as inclusion, conflict, racism and violence

Religious Education
use different perspectives to explore issues of justice, equality, care for others and for the planet, and peace and conflict
develop awareness of diversity through exploring different values, attitudes and beliefs
explore the role of religious beliefs and organisations in global citizenship and global issues
develop empathy, critical thinking, respect for others and the ability to argue effectively

Science
engage with the social, cultural and economic contexts in which scientific enquiry takes place
explore ethical issues surrounding science and its pursuit and uses
consider the contribution of science to debates around sustainable development and climate change
develop appreciation of interdependence within the natural world and between people and planet
provide opportunities to explore the contributions of different cultures to science

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Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

A whole-school approach to global citizenship

Oxfams experience is that embedding global citizenship across all areas of school life results in the greatest impacts
and benefits for learners. As a perspective on the world shared within a school, global citizenship provides purpose,
motivation and coherence in teaching and learning while reinforcing key skills and values through learners wider
experience of school life.
This framework, used by Oxfam World Shaper schools, illustrates how a whole-school approach can be used as a
stimulus for whole-school planning.

School ethos The curriculum Participation Staff Transition Community

development engagement

Ensure that Promote global Enable learners Develop staff Use global Develop ways
global citizenship citizenship to participate understanding of citizenship to to engage your
is reflected in across the in or lead on global citizenship support primary local community
your school curriculum, global citizenship and participatory to secondary using global
vision, ethos and with activities projects through and critical transition and citizenship, and
development delivered across curricular or approaches, and explore the invite community
plan, with a range of extra-curricular planning time place of global members to
learners playing subjects and key activities for to co-ordinate citizenship related events.
a key role in stages. example, peer projects. values and
decision-making. or cross-phase skills in further
learning. and higher
education and
the workplace.

It involves thinking big but starting with small, manageable steps. These are best organised through a plan-do-review
process which is supported by senior leadership and linked to existing school priorities where possible. The following
case studies demonstrate the positive difference that it can make. Pages 22-23 detail where schools can find support.

CASE STUDY Student voices leading the way

As an Oxfam World Shaper School, an expert centre in the
Global Learning Programme (England) and Eco-School
Green Flag award holder, Sir John Lawes School in Harpe
nden has put voice and leadership at the heart of their
approach to global citizenship. The Oxfam Youth Ambas
sador Group and the Eco-Council in particular play a centra
role in driving global citizenship across the school and beyon l
d. The Oxfam group speaks up on global issues and
helps to shape the school ethos and has met with MPs and
visited 10 Downing Street, while a Green Leaders schem
trains sixth-form students to deliver assemblies in primar e
y schools. More widely, all learners have their voices heard
within the school via form representatives and the
junior leadership team.
Learner-led activities have acted as catalysts for
further work, drawing in more teachers. Hence the
development of global citizenship across all areas
of the curriculum has been an organic process,
but with strong support from senior leadership
and the headteacher, who emphasises clear links
between global citizenship skills and the high
academic standards which the school achieves.
Its important that schools promote
being confident and being able to put
your voice across.
Learner at Sir John Lawes School

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 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

CASE STUDY Estyn excellence: global citizenship and sustainab

development le
Heronsbridge School in Bridgend supports
learners from the age of three to 19 who have
statements of special educational needs for
severe, profound or complex learning difficulties.
As part of the schools Education for Sustainable
Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC)
programme, the school has introduced a series
of gardening projects. These enable learners
to explore sustainability issues and to develop
their understanding of global citizenship while
learning gardening skills and cultivating positive
attitudes to healthy eating. The school set up a
series of linked sustainable food projects with its
partner schools in Tanzania and Botswana. For
example, each school in the partnership built a keyhole garden (a method
of gardening which is based on recycling,
composting and conserving water). Heronsbridge school has also develop
ed a recycling project providing on-site
work experience and enabling the community of Bridgend to recycle unwant
ed bikes.
In 2014, Estyn awarded Heronsbridge School a rare double excellent
rating and in a separate review of ESDGC in
Wales, Estyn also found that, through ESDGC, learners at Heronsbridge
had increased their confidence, resilience
and achievement. ESDGC had also enabled learners to develop their
thinking, organisational, communication and
decision-making skills, their global understanding and their sense of
global citizenship.

iculum to the community :

CASE STUDY From the core curr
Rights, participation and voice
or School
The leadership team at Torriano Juni
app roach
in London sees their whole-school
ntal to
to global citizenship as being fundame
ol. The
the high achievement across the scho
s glob al topi cs and
schools curriculum combine
tent and
themes with National Curriculum con
e the UN
core literacy and numeracy skills, whil
lies at the
Convention on the Rights of the Child
The com bina tion
heart of the schools ethos.
Righ ts
of global citizenship and the UNICEF
contributed to
Respecting School programme has
s curriculum,
the transformative effect of Torriano
and lear ning,
improving quality of teaching
t, and learner
parental and community engagemen , to respect people and value
ges lear ners to con nec t their learning to the world around them
motivation. It enc oura nd Speak Out events which
and advo cate for othe rs. Parents and families are encouraged to atte
diversity, and to care and take
s about global development issues
with the community, survey attitude
enable learners to share their learning s for learners to have their voices hea rd prove
r view s to thei r loca l MP and othe r opinion-formers. These opportunitie nda ry scho ol.
thei grounding for seco
le in improvin g con fide nce and self-esteem and providing an excellent
to be invaluab
them to have
nt chi ldre n to be con fide nt, we want them to be curious, we want
We wa erstand the
y need. But we also want them to und
all the knowledge and skills that the ality, and know
ng wo rld and to be par t of a dis cussion of how they can promote equ
changi
that they are the citizens of now.
t Leader, Torriano Junior School
Susan Bush, Curriculum Developmen

15
Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

oxfams Curriculum for global citizenship Knowledge and understanding

Ages 3 5 Ages 5 7 Ages 7 11 Ages 11 14 Ages 14 16 Ages 16 19
Social w
 hat is fair and what fairness how fairness may not ways of defining and measuring underlying causes of challenges and dilemmas
justice and unfair means always mean equal poverty (relative and absolute) poverty and inequality and associated with social justice and
equity importance examples of what it treatment and inequality relationship to policies, power equity
of caring and can mean to be rich some causes and inequalities within and between and systems differing perspectives on social
sharing or poor in local and effects of poverty and societies and how these change differing views on how justice and ways of achieving it
other contexts inequality (including wider causes and effects poverty, inequality and
gender inequalities) of poverty, inequality and inequity can be reduced
at local, national and exclusion national and international
global levels initiatives to tackle poverty
and inequality

Identity and u
 niqueness and similarities and diversity of cultures and benefits and challenges of role of language in prejudice, the multi-faceted and flexible
diversity value of every differences societies within and diversity discrimination and exclusion nature of identity
person between peoples beyond own experience impacts of stereotyping, impacts of historical tendencies of dominant cultures
s imilarities and in local setting contributions of prejudice and discrimination and processes (e.g. slavery and to promote certain ways of seeing
differences and also in wider different cultures to our how to challenge these colonisation) on peoples and understanding the world and
between self contexts lives identities, cultures, and to subordinate others
importance of language, beliefs
and others what contributes nature of prejudice, and values in cultural identities power today
to self-identity and racism and sexism and
belonging ways to combat these

Globalisation immediate similarities and global connections connections and complexity of globalisation impacts of globalisation on wealth
and inter- and local differences between peoples interdependencies between and global issues and inequality at different scales
dependence environment between places in and countries (e.g. global and local issues imbalances in power relations critiques of different approaches
s imple links with various parts of the through trade and changing global forces and between rich and poor to trade, financial flows,
other places world, including own communications) effects on peoples lives countries and the impacts of movement of people and global
(e.g. through setting how local actions affect these governance
impacts of decisions made at
food) links between local the wider world local, national or global levels global economic and political challenges and opportunities of
community and on people and the environment systems globalisation for governments and
wider world across national boundaries communities

Sustainable living things and positive and peoples dependencies differing views about dilemmas in development and development theories and their
development their needs negative impacts on the environment development and quality of life sustainability critiques
h
 ow to take care of peoples actions basics of climate and their measurement moral, ethical, social, contested nature of the concept
of immediate (including own change (causes and UN Sustainable Development economic and environmental of sustainable development
environment personal choices) effects) Goals and progress against implications of scientific role of participation and
on others and the them discoveries and technological
p
 ossibility of environmentally- empowerment of individuals and
environment developments
change in the responsible living and importance of biodiversity communities in development
future how people can global inequalities in role of governments,
wider causes and implications
damage or improve ecological footprints businesses, NGOs and citizens
of climate change
the environment in sustainable development

16
 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Ages 3 5 Ages 5 7 Ages 7 11 Ages 11 14 Ages 14 16 Ages 16 19

Peace and h
 ow own causes of some causes and wider causes and effects of links between justice and complexity of conflicts and why
conflict actions have disagreement and effects of conflict at all conflict at all levels peace, and conditions for some are more difficult to resolve
consequences conflict at personal, levels from personal to importance of resolving conflict lasting peace than others
s ome basic classroom and global fairly creative and positive role of conflict in creating
ways to avoid, household levels strategies for outcomes of conflict conditions for change at national
role of non-violent protest in
manage and some ways of managing, resolving social and political change just war theory and its and global levels
resolve conflict avoiding, managing and preventing conflict, critiques
and resolving including win-win
conflict solutions
examples of conflicts
past and present in own
society and others

Human rights b
 asic needs for rights in class and UN Convention on the Universal Declaration of Human underlying causes of history and philosophy of human
human life school Rights of the Child Rights human rights violations rights
the need to respect reasons why some importance of citizens, societies and the political, legal, contested nature of human
the rights of others people have their rights and governments respecting and socio-cultural, religious rights and ideas relating to their
denied defending peoples human rights and economic factors that universality, indivisibility and
basic human rights support or undermine human
and how some those responsible for current and historical human interdependence
rights in particular contexts
people have these rights being met (e.g. rights issues and movements in challenges to human rights and
denied teachers, local and own country and elsewhere state obligations on human dilemmas facing governments
national government) rights

Power and r ules in class how to take part the need for rules in basic national, regional (e.g. global governance how individuals and groups, and
governance and school in making and own school and wider EU) and global governance structures and processes public and private sectors, engage
h
 ow rules can changing rules in society and how people structures and systems, and international collaboration in global governance
help us own class / school can take part in making differences between countries on global challenges how unequal power relations
uneven sharing and changing them how a lack of power and between nation states affect
how the expansion of power
of power and how basics of how own representation can result in and influence of countries global issues
some people are country and region is discrimination and exclusion or organisations may impact factors hindering citizenship
excluded from governed the power of collective action on the cultures, attitudes and civic engagement at global,
decision-making and role of social movements and experiences of those national and local levels
and governments in tackling involved
injustice

17
Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

oxfams Curriculum for global citizenship SKILLs

Ages 3 5 Ages 5 7 Ages 7 11 Ages 11 14 Ages 14 16 Ages 16 19
Critical and ask questions a
 sk relevant begin to identify bias and evaluate media and evaluate and synthesise evaluate different approaches to
creative suggest a way to questions opinion other sources for a range of perspectives, tackling global challenges
thinking solve a problem c
 onsider merits of give evidence for an bias, stereotypes and arguments and evidence assess how power affects
different viewpoints argument, assess different range of voices and a about issues and begin to views, voice, decision-making,
wonder about ideas
viewpoints and present perspectives analyse use of statistics governance and construction of
u
 se different
approaches to solve counter-arguments analyse own and others identify implicit values and knowledge
problems imagine alternative assumptions about assumptions synthesise ideas and engage in
possibilities and suggest people and issues make connections between development of new solutions to
new ideas to solve problems keep mind open to new ideas and information local and global issues
ideas

Empathy s how sensitivity to show awareness adapt behaviour to take into discern how people are listen empathically to understand how peoples social
peoples feelings of, and concern for, account feelings of others feeling through their others and economic circumstances
and needs peoples feelings empathise with people words, body language, view the world and local- can shape the way they view
show interest in, and in local and more distant gestures and tone global issues from a wide situations and make choices
concern for, others contexts recognise how different range of perspectives understand complexity of
outside immediate understand impacts of backgrounds, beliefs motivations of a wide range of
circle and in contexts prejudice and discrimination and personalities affect actors in given situations
different to own behaviour and world
views
Self- recognise, name and recognise effects identify connections recognise personal show awareness of cultural analyse, clarify and challenge own
awareness deal with feelings in of own behaviour on between personal decisions strengths and lenses through which values and how they influence
and a positive way others and use this to and issues affecting people weaknesses one views the world and choices and lifestyle
reflection notice some effects help make choices locally and globally evaluate ways in which recognise the limitations of analyse how our minds are
of own actions on identify matters that explore reasons for negative own emotions, words own perspective conditioned by social, cultural and
others are important to self feelings towards others and and behaviour can affect evaluate experiences, historical contexts and how this
identify how people and others in new or difficult situations people both locally and learning and feedback affects our thinking about issues
are feeling (e.g. learn from mistakes globally and use it to inform future articulate a personal
happy, sad, worried) and use feedback learning, thinking and understanding of what it means to
action be a global citizen
Communica- listen to others participate in listen attentively, question communicate effectively argue rationally and listen to, reflect on and evaluate
tion take turns to discussions about and respond to others through a range of persuasively about global another persons point of view and
express a view issues that affect express own views and media about issues to issues respond appropriately
self, others and the ideas on issues clearly, suit subject, audience analyse impact of manner, identify and address challenges of
wider world using a range of appropriate and purpose medium and content intercultural communication
state opinions and methods use active listening of communications on
start to give reasons give reasons, evidence and skills different groups
for these examples in support of an adapt behaviour to new
listen carefully to opinion cultural environments
others

18
 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Ages 3 5 Ages 5 7 Ages 7 11 Ages 11 14 Ages 14 16 Ages 16 19

Cooperation participate in group p
 lay and work work cooperatively to solve take on different roles in reflect on the roles played negotiate effectively in
and conflict activities cooperatively problems or achieve goals group work in group situations, relationships with peers and
resolution take turns and share h
 elp to ensure that use strategies to manage employ effective including leadership adults
manage disputes everyone in own group anger, frustration and strategies for repairing identify win/win solutions mediate disputes
peacefully is included aggressive feelings damaged relationships for resolving some conflict use a range of strategies to
b
 egin to show tact use knowledge of others situations resolve or manage conflict
and diplomacy viewpoints to resolve show sensitivity to diverse
problems and compromise perspectives and cultural
norms when managing
conflict

Ability to a
 sk for help if describe feelings describe feelings about adapt to new situations integrate new or revised take responsibility for own life and
manage unsure what to do about changes in own changes and events in own and explore new ways of perspectives into own make wise choices
complexity life and locality setting and the wider world seeing local and global learning, thinking and deal with changing demands and
and use strategies to cope with issues acting on global issues relationships in a positive way
uncertainty challenging times explore multiple break goals into achievable
recognise when there may perspectives and steps and anticipate and
be no single right or wrong alternative visions of the overcome obstacles
answer future

Informed and support others in contribute actively participate in decision- identify and plan understand need to analyse impacts of various actors
reflective group or class and constructively to making in school appropriate action(s) critically examine own on global issues and how they can
action the life of own class contribute to the well-being and opportunities to attitudes, assumptions and be influenced
and school of the wider community make own voice heard behaviours participate in relevant political
take action when share opinions and evidence challenge viewpoints understand roles of elected processes
something is unfair on issues with others which perpetuate decision-makers and how lead others in exploring global
including decision-makers inequality and injustice to influence them issues and taking reflective action
and elected representatives reflect on learning from select appropriate goals
taking action and plan a course of action
to achieve them

19
Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

oxfams Curriculum for global citizenship VALUES AND ATTITUDES

Ages 3 5 Ages 5 7 Ages 7 11 Ages 11 14 Ages 14 16 Ages 16 19
Sense of awareness of self and own sense of belonging and positivity about the ways v aluing of own and others a
 ppreciation of human appreciation of multi-
identity and uniqueness valuing of relationships in which one is both individuality interconnectedness and faceted and flexible
self-esteem sense of self-worth and with others similar to others and o
 penness to new ideas interpendency at local and nature of personal identity
worth of others awareness of, and pride uniquely different and perspectives which global levels
in, own individuality value what contributes to challenge own s ense of belonging
own identity to local and global
communities

Commitment sense of fair play willingness to stand up o

 ffence at unfair a
 ctive concern at s ense of personal and c
 ommitment to principles
to social willingness to take turns and speak up for others treatment of others locally injustice, exploitation and collective responsibility of democracy, social
justice and and share fairness in dealings with and globally denial of human rights towards local and global justice, equity, and the
equity others s ense of justice w
 illingness to take action issues eradication of poverty
g
 rowing interest in world against injustice and w
 illingness to get involved
events and global issues inequity in activities promoting
social justice and equity
locally, nationally and
globally
Respect for starting to think of others respect for other peoples readiness to think through sense of solidarity with recognition of the needs commitment to
people and feelings and ideas consequences of words, those suffering human and rights of future as well safeguarding human
human rights respect for the rights of actions and choices on rights violations, injustice as current generations rights
others others and discrimination
belief that everyone has belief that it is everyones commitment to hold
equal rights responsibility to duty-bearers to account
challenge prejudice and for upholding equal rights
discrimination for all

Value positive attitude towards valuing others as equal valuing difference r espect for the rights of all a
 ppreciation that awareness of own
diversity difference and diversity and different recognising the benefits to have a point of view people can learn much prejudices and biases,
willingness to listen to the willingness to listen of listening to a range of w  illingness to challenge from others diverse and commitment to
ideas of others respectfully to the ideas different perspectives and prejudiced and backgrounds and overcoming these
and views of others even viewpoints discriminatory views perspectives appreciation of the
when one disagrees r ecognition of diverse d
 esire to deepen value of working with
willingness to learn from perspectives on any issue, understanding and people with different
the experiences of others and that the majority view interaction with different backgrounds
is not always right cultures both locally and
globally

20
 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Ages 3 5 Ages 5 7 Ages 7 11 Ages 11 14 Ages 14 16 Ages 16 19

Concern appreciation of, and care concern about the sense of responsibility for a
 ppreciation of c
 oncern for the future w
 illingness to both lead
for the for, living things and own local environment and the environment and the interdependence between of the planet and future and support others in
environment environment willingness to care for it use of resources people and planet generations promoting sustainable
and sense of wonder and taking care of resources commitment to taking c
 oncern about the effects w
 illingness to take development
commitment curiosity about the world and not wasting them action to protect and of lifestyles and consumer personal responsibility for
to improve the environment choices on people and the changing lifestyle
starting to value
sustainable and quality of life for planet
resources w
 illingness to engage
development people locally and globally decision-makers and
campaign

Commitment willingness to play fairly willingness to participate a

 ctive participation in s upporting and commitment to supporting commitment to principles
to and inclusively with others in activities both inside school-based decision- encouraging others to democratic processes and of inclusion and active
participation and outside of the making participate learning more about own support for involvement of
and classroom p
 roactive inclusion of w
 illingness to reach role in these others in decision-making
inclusion belief that that everyone other people, especially agreement through
should be included and those who may face compromise
able to participate barriers to participating
fully

Belief that belief that everyone can belief that people can belief that individuals w
 illingness to take an willingness to continually willingness to work with
people can do things to improve make a difference, both and groups can improve informed stand on global examine own attitudes, others to bring about
bring about surroundings and support on their own and when situations issues assumptions and change locally, nationally
change others they work together willingness to cooperate b
 elief that people can behaviours and globally
with others to change often make a greater readiness to work towards
things for the better difference when they take a more equitable and
action collectively sustainable global future

21
 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Further resources and support

oxfam.org.uk/education
Resources: The Oxfam Education website features curriculum-linked resources on a variety of global issues.
We have toolkits for active global citizenship, classroom resources and online tools. Many of our resources
are available in Welsh.
Teacher guides and professional development: The website also contains details of Oxfams continuing professional
development programmes for teachers, and free teacher guides such as:
Global Citizenship in the Classroom: A guide for teachers
Maths and Global Citizenship
English and Global Citizenship
Building Successful School Partnerships
Teaching Controversial Issues
World Shapers (England): This offers schools in England bespoke, in-school support for embedding global citizenship.
Youth Ambassadors: This scheme provides opportunities for learners to lead their peers in learning, thinking and acting
on global issues.
Youth Ambassador Group resources are specific to the England educational and political contexts. While we can
accept registrations from groups in Scotland and Wales who wish to adapt these resources for use in their contexts,
Oxfam only has capacity to provide remote support from our England offices.
For further enquiries about Oxfams work in education, telephone 0300 200 1300 or email [email protected].

Photo: John McLaverty

22
 Education for Global Citizenship A guide for schools

Global Learning Programme

The Global Learning Programme provides free support for whole-school approaches to global citizenship and
professional development for teachers.
England: globaldimension.org.uk/glp
Northern Ireland: centreforglobaleducation.com/global-learning-programme
Scotland: ideas-forum.org.uk/glps
Wales: globaldimension.org.uk/glpwales

globaldimension.org.uk
The Global Dimension website provides a searchable guide of over 1,000 reviewed books, films, posters and web
resources which support global learning across all age groups and subjects.

hwb.wales.gov.uk
Hwb is an all-Wales virtual learning environment which hosts a range of bilingual digital learning tools and resources,
including resources which support education for sustainable development and global citizenship.

ideas-forum.org.uk
IDEAS (International Development Education Association of Scotland) is a network of organisations and individuals
involved in educating for global citizenship across Scotland. The IDEAS website contains details of projects and
programmes for schools and teachers, a regular magazine featuring articles on global issues, practical classroom
activities and useful resources, as well as news from schools and IDEAS members.

britishcouncil.org/connectingclassrooms
Connecting Classrooms supports schools in developing global citizenship through international school partnerships.

globalclassrooms.org.uk
The Consortium of Development Education Centres consists of members across England, each an independent, local-
based, not-for-profit organisation whose core work includes the support and delivery of global learning to schools.

Philosophy for Children sapere.org.uk

An excellent methodology for encouraging learners to explore a wide range of viewpoints, and one that can be used
with all ages.

Open Spaces for Dialogue and Enquiry osdemethodology.org.uk

A set of procedures and resources to help structure safe spaces for dialogue and enquiry about global issues, and
promote critical literacy.

UCL Institute of Education - ioe.ac.uk/derc

The UCL Institute of Educations Development Education Research Centre publishes research papers on global learning
practice in schools.

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Apart from Oxfam Education, several other NGOs support global citizenship education. See, for example, the websites
of ActionAid, Amnesty International UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, CAFOD, Fairtrade Foundation, Islamic Relief,
MADE in Europe, Practical Action and Tzedek, to name but a few.

23
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in other publications or for translation or adaptation, written permission
must be obtained from:
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