Nowadays, it is important to understand the world beyond its borders. True learning occurs when students start understanding how the world works and how they can make it better. They learn how to learn, live, and grow together with people from different backgrounds and cultures. This is what is called global citizenship, as it teaches you how to act as a member of a global family.
STEP Schools have a strong belief that education should not be restricted to classrooms. But students should learn about the world, i.e., learning about other cultures, speaking up for peace, interacting with people of different backgrounds, etc. We also believe that every student has the power to build positive change both locally and globally.
This article is all about global citizenship and why it is important. Moreover, we explore how STEP Schools define global citizenship and what practices support it.
What is Global Citizenship?
We all live in one world, with numerous people, cultures, and environments that are linked with each other. This is called global citizenship. A global citizen means a person who cares about others, understands different cultures, and works to make the world a better place.
A World That Needs Global Citizens
The world nowadays is facing many challenges, such as pollution, poverty, health problems, and even wars. One person or one country alone is incapable of solving these issues. That’s why people from different nations and backgrounds are required to work together, share ideas, and find smart solutions. That’s where global citizens come in.
Properties of a Global Citizen
Global citizens are the main characters responsible for global citizenship. A global citizen is the one person who:
- Know about different people and places around the world.
- Show respect for diverse cultures and beliefs.
- Always act responsibly.
- Make true efforts to solve global problems.
What is Active Citizenship and why is it Important?
Global citizenship and active citizenship go hand in hand. This is so because global citizenship involves thinking about what is right, but active citizenship involves practical work for the right thing and helping others. An active citizen:
- Help your local community.
- Sort out international issues.
- Learn about problems in other countries.
- Work both locally and globally to make positive changes.
How do STEP Schools Define Global Citizenship?
STEP Schools define a global citizen as a student who learns about the world and different cultures, and respects people of all backgrounds. They work to solve local and international problems, utilising their skills to improve the lives of everyone.
Hence, global citizens do not see themselves as belonging to just one city, but they see themselves as part of the global community.
Why We Care About Global Citizenship?
There are some key reasons that we should care about global citizenship. Some are as follows:
- The world is connected. So, students need to interact with people from all over the world and need to understand them.
- The other reason is the presence of global challenges like climate change, refugee rights, food insecurity, pandemics, poverty, inequality, and digital privacy. So, students require global awareness.
- Development of 21st-century skills is essential to becoming an active citizen. It helps in problem-solving and collaboration.
- Multicultural learning is very important. Students need to learn about different cultures, beliefs, languages, and histories to live peacefully and respectfully in a diverse world.
- Active citizenship is another good reason. It involves good character building, community service, and responsibility.
How STEP Schools’ Current Practices Support Global Citizenship
Skills like critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration are very important in the 21st century. But learning to care about people who live differently from us is equally important to respecting their beliefs, traditions, and dreams. That is the heart of multicultural learning and active citizenship.
Both multicultural learning and promoting active citizenship are important ideas that STEP Schools are proud to add to their philosopy of teaching. Moreover, STEP Schools already include many elements that help in building global citizens. Some areas follow:
21st-Century Skills Framework
STEP emphasises critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, information, and technology literacy. This helps young learners grow into confident, creative, and compassionate people. Moreover, these 21st-century skills help students to collaborate and interact with people worldwide, work together on big problems, and understand different cultures.
Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Students at STEP Schools learn by doing real projects instead of solely memorising facts. They do so with the help of project-based learning. These real projects, including community and global issues, make them active citizens who not only talk but also act on the issues to resolve them.
STEAM Education
At STEP Schools, STEAM education is highly focused and is added to our 21st-century-based curriculum. STEAM helps our students to think creatively and logically. Moreover, students gain scientific, technological, and artistic skills with STEAM learning. This will help them to solve real and practical problems.
Moreover, STEP Schools emphasises multicultural learning and global awareness through STEAM. This prepares students to think globally and see beyond borders. In short, STEAM learning at STEP Schools is not just learning numbers or machines, but they learn to invent, design, and create a better world.
Global and Cultural Competence in the Curriculum
STEP Schools mention Global and Cultural Competence as a part of its teaching practices. Students learn about different countries, their histories, cultures, and traditions. This helps them to respect and appreciate differences and solve real-world problems. Thus, students develop key traits of a global citizen, which are mindedness, kindness, and understanding nature.
Affordable Quality Education
STEP Schools is also promoting equality, a trait of a global citizen. We do so by providing affordable, quality education to students. This gives them an equal chance to learn and succeed, making modern education more accessible. Moreover, all students have access to the same modern teaching methods, technology, and opportunities. Thus, make them informed and active citizens.
What are the Benefits of Global Citizenship?
Some of the benefits include:
- Cultural Awareness
- Open-mindedness
- Empathy
- Teamwork
- Respect
- Global Understanding
- Leadership
- Problem-Solving
- Social Responsibility
- Peace Building
Become a Global Citizen at STEP Schools
Join STEP Schools Now and become a part of a school that empowers young minds to lead with confidence and understand the world, and respect diversity.
Final Thoughts
At STEP Schools, you will learn to think critically, act and care responsibly for the good of everyone as a true global citizen to promote global citizenship. Together with multicultural learning, active citizenship, and modern education, we can shape a better and brighter world. STEP Schools helps students to grow into curious, kind, and confident global citizens who recognise the world and work to improve it.