Global+citizenship

= Global Citizenship = ==== "Citizenship is a term that dates back to the Ancient Greeks. Back then, a citizen was someone who played a role in advancing Greek society. Global citizenship is a new term, but it is based on an ancient concept-a global citizen is anyone who works to make the world a better place" (VIDEA, 2010, n.p.) ====

==== "Water, food, clothing, shelter, and meaningful connection with other human beings are basic needs without whose fulfillment we die. The ethos of global citizenship, I believe, must start with providing, and caring about providing, these basic human necessities, and the protections for the sustaining ecosystems that humans depend on" (McIntosh, 2003, p. 388). ====

= Gender, Curriculum, and Global Citizenship. . . . =

==== Peggy McIntosh writes a compelling chapter on gender, curriculum, and global citizenship in the Flinders & Thornton (2009) text //The Curriculum Studies Reader//. McIntosh (2003) associates global citizenship with //capacities of mind//, //capacities of heart// and related //capacities of the physical body and the spiritual soul//. These qualities ". . . are gender related. That is, they have been especially delegated to, conditioned in, and rewarded in women" (p. 386). McIntosh (2003) advocates that these qualities exist and can be developed in men and women alike, and that the challenge lies in teaching "the skills of working for, and wanting, the commonweal, the well-being of all" (p. 387). McIntosh (2003) feels that today's educational culture (US, keep in mind) values traditionally masculine qualities of solo risk-taking and individualism, and expresses dismay that global citizenship will not appeal to many because of its association with traditionally feminine qualities of "obligations, docility, obedience, and good behaviour" (p. 389). She is ruthless in her attack of the present national administration and faults George W. Bush directly (several times). This is an excellent read! ====

= . . . . On Video! =

For you, for your students, for inspiration! The following video clips are provided for your viewing pleasure and to help you make the connection between gender, curriculum, and global citizenship.
==== Craig Kielburger founded [|Free the Children] media type="youtube" key="-RiUHRCK0yw" height="156" width="256" align="left"in Thornhill, ON, when he was just 12 years old. Today the organization is "the world's largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries" (Free, 2010, n.p.). ====

media type="youtube" key="hqhKn22VQX0?version=3" height="156" width="256" align="right" ==== VIDEA, the Victoria International Development Education Association, has promoted global citizenship from its Victoria, BC base since 1977. It offers school programs, professional development for teachers. See this video for an essence of what it means to be a global citizen. ====