Nurturing a global view

Providing superlative educational experiences and enabling students to stand shoulder to shoulder with their global counterparts should be the goal of every educational institution. Improving the quality of education with each passing day is key to achieving this goal. Apart from cultivating a strong academic background, it is important to nurture an organic understanding of the world.

A large number of students aspire to study and work abroad. Hence, there is an increasing need for students to have a global perspective. It is important for them to be able to think critically about Providing superlative educational experiences and enabling students to stand shoulder to shoulder with their global counterparts should be the goal of every educational institution. Improving the quality of education with each passing day is key to achieving this goal. Apart from cultivating a strong academic background, it is important to nurture an organic understanding of the world. global issues and understand that there is always more than one point of view.

Given the need to equip students with these skills, some schools have introduced Global Perspectives as a subject in their curriculum. As a core subject, Global Perspectives covers five dimensions: interdependence and globalisation, sustainable future, peace building and conflict resolution, social justice and human rights, and identity and cultural diversity. Having a global perspective not only helps one see from a wider perspective but also enables one to see more than themselves.

Multiple benefits
The course also induces a sense of responsibility and teaches students to appreciate their own lives and the ties involving the lives of people around the world. An understanding and awareness of social, political and environmental arenas is the solution. Enhancing their sensitivities, approach and principles is mandatory in
helping students bind and work together.

Sharing resources to support each other and understanding the problems from a neutral perspective builds a sustainable relationship with fellow global citizens. By stressing on the potential outcome and building a dynamic equilibrium in the human society helps people mould the future to bring in a positive change.

This is one of the benefits of integrating Global Perspectives as a subject in schools. It makes one understand the power of communication and decisive thinking. The different fragments of Global Perspectives also revolve around how the links between society and
people change with respect to change in the socio-political environment. For example, maintaining the equilibrium between poverty and wealth, diversity and change, responsibility and rights with the sole motive of being true to oneself and maintaining global justice. It is imperative to be in charge of your own culture and yourself and also be accepting of other cultures.

A global perspective imbibes in a student’s personality the confidence to voice his or her choices and opinions in the face of discrimination and inequality. Finding a solution without damaging the surroundings and improving the quality of life, barring any ill effect on the society should also be priority. It is essential to instill a sense of ‘Indianness’ while at the same time empowering them with a universal viewpoint to keep the essence of our strong culture intact.

In international schools, where all stakeholders form a culturally-rich mosaic, students interact with peers from various other backgrounds, different from their own, and have the opportunity to learn from varied global perspectives first-hand.

Education is the channel to success and cultures are no exceptions. When we empower our students with a global curriculum, we also have to teach them the value of knowing and being deeply rooted to their own cultures. It is important to hold your own ground especially when the prime focus is on personality.

Apart from knowledge, what makes an individual distinct from others is the way he or she handles himself or herself in different situations. Comprehending the thoughts, actions and beliefs of people from all walks of life influences the quality of adaptability and understanding, and makes students well-prepared to face tough and trying situations that life puts forth.

(The author is with Canadian International School, Bengaluru)