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Globalclub is a ground-breaking, web-based initiative aimed at creating a virtual youth community in Northern Ireland. Run by a national youth board made up of young people, it empowers its members to manage and develop the youth community which is thought to be a world first.
The site aims to provide an adult-free, protected online environment, and a link between formal and non-formal education. It seeks to enable young people to communicate and understand more about each other.
An important focus for the project is to help young people develop their skill sets in an effort to enhance their learning and leisure time. It will provide a voice for them to highlight youth issues, encourage independent thought and creativity, and work towards promoting social advance.
Lester Manley, the initiative’s Chairman and founder, says: ‘Globalclub will provide a platform to enable young people to share their experience, knowledge, life and aspirations, not only with their peers across Northern Ireland, but with others around the world.’
There are plans to establish groups in other countries and the British Council is looking into the possibility of future involvement in a guidance and support role. Visit the Globalclub website.
A new scheme enabling schools across Europe to get involved in information and communications technology (ICT) partnerships is being launched by the European Commission. eTwinning lets schools across Europe register their details, link up with another school and collaborate through ICT on a range of activities. Part of the eLearning Programme, eTwinning consists of a web-based Central Support Service managed by European Schoolnet, backed by a network of National Support Services, including the British Council in the UK. Visit the eTwinning website.
On 15 November, Charles Clarke MP launched the DfES International Strategy for Education, Skills and Children’s Services in England which sets out plans to ensure an international dimension across our education system, exchange ideas, offer support to developing nations, and maximise the contribution of education to the economy. Visit the Global Gateway website for more information.
In January, the British Council is mailing Foreign Language Assistants and schools in England with details of a competition to celebrate the scheme’s centenary. The awards will be presented during International Education Week in November 2005.
encompass is the British Council’s worldwide online reading group for adults, teenagers and children. Take your pick from more than 5,000 books, search for booklists and authors, and read or write reviews of them. There’s also a web board and chatroom and, if you need help, there’s an online reader in residence and a toolkit offering guidance for setting up a reading group. Visit the website for more information.
The International Deaf Children’s Society recently launched the first global online forum for deaf children and young people, their parents and professionals. The site includes a ‘schools’ network’ section with details of schools interested in forming partnerships with deaf schools around the world. This initiative is an important step towards establishing a network of deaf schools worldwide, encouraging information exchange and peer support for pupils and teachers alike. Visit the website for more information.
On 13 October, Nicholas Witchell took time out from his role as the BBC’s royal and diplomatic correspondent, to present at the 2004 International School Award ceremony. More than 300 people attended the event which was held at the Congress Centre in central London. Rod Pryde, Assistant Director-General of the British Council, presided and Dr Mary Stiasny (whose old primary school also received an award) introduced the 127 award-winning schools. Charles Clarke MP, Secretary of State for Education, also pledged support for the development of the award, which recognises schools’ achievements in embedding the international dimension into the curriculum and ethos.
The awards are also moving overseas. In October, five Indian schools were recognised by the British Council, achieving the award through their links with UK schools. David Miliband, Minister of State for School Standards, presented their certificates and it is hoped a further 16 schools will receive accreditation in 2005.
For details, call John Rolfe on 020 7389 4419, e-mail john.rolfe@britishcouncil.org.
Amelia Barratt, 15, of Kendrick School, Reading, is the winner of the Global Gateway logo competition. Amelia wins a digital camera for herself and a digital camcorder and multimedia projector for her school, donated by Canon. The Global Gateway website offers information on developing an international dimension in education. Five more Strategic International Partners, Greece, India, Malta, Vietnam and the Netherlands, have now joined a list of 32 countries as diverse as Armenia, Saudia Arabia and the USA, which have agreed to work cooperatively on the site.
‘World Champions’ was the theme of the annual British Council Conference which took place during International Education Week. It looked at how skills for 14–19 year olds can be developed through sport and international links. Delegates were treated to insights from sport and education experts, and an energetic maths-based dance routine. Visit the conference website for more information.
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