In January of this year my colleague Nora Furlong and I hosted a programme in CIT Crawford College of Art and Design in collaboration with Youth Work Ireland, Cork as part of the Creativity and Change programme. www.creativityandchange.info
It brought together youth workers, artists and educators who are passionate about supporting young people to grow as global citizens.
In the week spent together, the group co-developed 2 publications, one including reflections on the themes of creativity resilience and global citizenship and the other creative tool-kit providing very practical creative ideas and processes to engage with these themes in non formal learning settings.
The following reflection shares the compiled reflections and ideas of this group in relation to what competences, values, attitudes and characteristics we want to nurture in ourselves and others to grow as global citizens.
What are the Competences, Values, Attitudes and Characteristics of Global Citizens?
Teamwork and co-operation
Co-operation is crucial to the process of fostering resilience. Sharing responsibility, perspectives, experiences, ideas and creative processes enables people to connect with, co-operate and support each other to achieve a common goal.
Open-mindedness, acceptance of diversity and belief in equality
Being open-minded, approachable and willing to connect to others without judgment or prejudice is important as we live in a shared world. We need to be considerate of others’ needs, embrace diversity and promote solidarity. Global citizens acknowledge that we need help and support from others to succeed. A global citizen needs to recognize that everyone has different perspectives and
different things to contribute and that all people should have equal say and equal opportunities.
Empathy, openness and reaching out to others
Using understanding and empathy to relate to others’ experiences and seeing potential for change allows us to think about ongoing problems and how to solve them together as active global citizens. Connecting with others is important for long-term communication to effect social and global change. A global citizen is generous and reaches out to and encourages others. This connecting with others
Supports the resilience and wellbeing of a global citizen.
Solidarity
Living with others in solidarity is important so that we can make decisions for the common good. It is important that we can acknowledge our support for each other.
Awareness consciousness of oneself and others
A global citizen needs to be aware that they matter and can make a difference. When they recognise this for themselves they can also recognise the potential in others.
Humility, forgiveness and consideration of others’ needs
A global citizen accepts that other things may be bigger and more important in some circumstances. They are open to others’ experience. Accepting weakness gives strength. Humility and forgiveness bring peace.
Flexibility
This is important if we are to be resilient. We need to be able to change with changing circumstances while holding true to what is important.
