Inside Scoop 2019

A global education We

A global education We explore how Global Action’s approach to school trips is engaging young people in learning around global issues, building an empowered alumni of positive-thinking Global Citizens When Global Action founders Mark and Katharine Giffard-Lindsay returned to the UK from working for international aid organisations in the Himalayas, they soon realised they wanted their children to develop a global outlook. ‘Global Action was born out of a strong desire to do something that would have a longlasting positive impact on our children’s mindset and actions,’ explains Katharine. ‘All parents want their children to have a happy childhood, but not to grow up in a bubble. We want our children to be exposed to global issues, and appreciate the freedoms and choices many of us take for granted.’ “WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO BE EXPOSED TO GLOBAL ISSUES, AND APPRECIATE THE FREEDOMS AND CHOICES MANY OF US TAKE FOR GRANTED.” Global Action takes school teams to fascinating places where they experience new cultures, and re-evaluate their place in the world. ‘Nepal, India, Costa Rica, Zanzibar, and Borneo offer so many global learning opportunities, we find they appeal across the curriculum – the Himalayas, tropical jungles or coral reefs? A focus on poverty reduction, conservation or social justice? Geneva is slightly different, in that it’s a city trip focussed on the work of UN agencies and international organisations. One of our students was inspired to study international law at Cambridge university after this trip.’ Because both directors have worked in international development, Global Action has access to people working in international and local NGOs (charities) who are keen to share their experiences. As Mark highlights, ‘The aim is to inspire the next generation to think critically, globally and make a difference through their Left: Meeting a Changuu Island giant tortoise; Zanzibar school mural. Right from top down: WWF Nepal; Godolphin girls visit Tibetan school, Srongtsen; Godolphin team clean water project; Nepalese school painting fun; basketball final score.

INSIDE SCOOP CASE STUDY: NEPAL Niamh Reavill, Godolphin School What was your most memorable experience? The trip, as a whole, was full of many memories but my most memorable experience was being able to play a basketball game with the children at Tibetan School, Srongtsen. Although, as an all-girls team that had never played basketball before, we were rather poor, it was so much fun and ended up with our whole group on the court, whilst still managing to lose. Which organisation inspired you the most? I found the UK Department for International Development (DFID) most interesting to listen to due to the depth and interesting content they provided. All of the team were extremely passionate about what they do and gave us an insight into life in Nepal with global affairs. With Nepal being the second poorest country in Asia, with natural disasters such as the earthquake in 2015, DFID talked to us about their schemes, such as infrastructure care and plans, helping to provide safer and more durable buildings to reduce the impact of natural disasters. What’s the most important thing you learnt? No matter what, we should always be grateful for what we have. On comparing Nepal to UK, there was a huge difference. The streets were narrow and dusty, with seas of people day and night, the people all work very hard and, in most cases, for very little money. The children in the school lived miles away from their parents with no internet or new clothes, just the bare basics and simple things in life. We were digging a hole to install a clean water system to reduce childhood diseases at the school, something we take for granted every day. If I could go back to Nepal, I would without a doubt. Our time there was absolutely eye opening and taught me so much. Adam Reavill, Godolpin School, Head of CCF What were the highlights of the trip for you? Watching our students interact with the Nepali pupils at schools where we have been doing work. Despite the language barrier they have been brilliant communicating with a few words and hand signals. They have laughed together with the Nepali children and really enjoyed the interactive nature of the time spent in those schools. A close second has been spotting rhinos while riding an elephant into the steamy jungle at dawn - something to be remembered for ever. 2019 ★ schoolnotices.co.uk 13