Global competence definition
Global competence is the capacity to examine local, global, and intercultural issues; to understand and appreciate the perspectives and world views of others; to engage in open, appropriate, and effective interactions with people from different cultures; and to act for collective well-being and sustainable development. (Teaching for Global Competence)
I also value the promotion of engaging in open, appropriate, and effective interactions with people from different cultures. To make a change and impact, it is crucial to take a human-centered approach by dialoguing with people to discover "local wisdom" and norms and behaviors and build deep empathy before generating possible solutions. Chip Heath and Dan Heath provided an example of this in their book, Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard. Jerry Sternin from the Save the Children organization engaged with the local community in Vietnam and successfully collaborated with mothers to adopt new cooking habits to feed children with malnutrition. He talked to different people in the village and observed the children's eating patterns and how the mother prepared food for the children. He analyzed data and designed a program with families to conquer malnutrition. Jerry Sternin stated that "Knowledge does not change behavior." If he simply gathered the village together and made a list of recommendations of what to do, he knew he wouldn't change their behavior. As a general rule, people don't like being told what to do and this is an important note to remember when we guide students to plan their service-learning project.
Four dimensions of global competence
- the capacity to examine issues and situations of local, global and cultural significance;
- the capacity to understand and appreciate different perspectives and worldviews;
- the ability to establish positive interactions with people of different national, ethnic, religious, social or cultural backgrounds or gender; and
- the capacity and disposition to take constructive action toward sustainable development and collective well-being. (Preparing Our Youth)
Self-directed service learning project
- independently select an area of learning through the lens of the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
- consider self-identified learning outcomes, gender balance, and cultural and linguistic diversity collaborating with a partner or a group who identifies the same SDG goal;
- address a specific issue of local, cultural or global significance with a relevant, clear purpose;
- ground their service learning initiative within disciplinary and interdisciplinary learning;
- design their own interdisciplinary unit, identify assessment objectives, and design summative tasks;
- engage in an active learning experience that includes research, planning, action, and reflection;
- demonstrate their learning in a preferred format to a real-world audience.
KIS MYP Service as Action Learning Experience Diagram
KIS A.C.T.I.O.N. standards and indicators
References
- Asia Society, and OECD. “Teaching for Global Competence in a Rapidly Changing World.” Asia Society, 2018, asiasociety.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/teaching-for-global-competence-in-a-rapidly-changing-world-edu.pdf.
- Heath, Dan, and Chip Heath. Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, Random House US, 2013, pp. 27–32.
- National Youth Leadership Council. “K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice.” National Youth Leadership Council, 2008.
- PISA, and OECD. “Preparing Our Youth for an Inclusive and Sustainable World.” OECD, 2018, www.oecd.org/education/Global-competency-for-an-inclusive-world.pdf.
- Regina, Carla, and Candelaria Ferrara. “Service-Learning in Central and Eastern Europe Handbook for Engaged Teachers and Students.” CLAYSS, 2017.
- Mansilla, Veronica Boix, and Anthony Jackson. “Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our Youth to Engage the World.” Asia Society, 2011.
- Written by Karthik Krishnan, Global CEO. “3 Vital Skills for the Age of Disruption.” World Economic Forum, 30 Sept. 2019, www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/09/3-vital-skills-for-the-age-of-disruption/.