International Mindedness CPD

“Free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction. ” George W. Bush

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Mother Theresa

“I have the same goal I've had ever since I was a girl. I want to rule the world.” Madonna

“It has been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity. ” Kofi Annan

“I have sworn to only live free. Even if I find bitter the taste of death, I don't want to die humiliated or deceived.” Osama Bin Laden

George W. Bush, Madonna, Mother Theresa, Osama Bin Laden, Kofi Annan.

Now rank them in order from 1–5, with the most internationally minded person as number 1, and the least internationally minded person as number 5.

Across the world today you’ll find schools, both international and increasingly in national systems too, that seek as part of their mission, to help children become internationally-minded. But what does it actually mean? As yet, there is no single commonly agreed definition. To some, it may be defined around themes such as securing peace and eradicating poverty, whilst others may see it from a more environmental perspective.

The term international is made up of both inter and national. International understanding does not replace a sense of nationhood with something “bigger” and “better,” but rather uses and builds on a sense of one's own national identity to understand and work with the national identities experienced and felt by others. We can, at the same time, be Californian and American, British and European, Nigerian and African, citizens of a country and of the world. These are complementary, not opposing, concepts.



“To be international minded is to realise that an opposing and sometimes offensive viewpoint, could be right”

 Globalisation  Cross-world Issues  The development of self › “No matter how rich it may be, no culture embodies all that is

valuable in human life an develops the full range of human possibilities. Different cultures thus correct and complement each other, expand each other’s horizons of thought and alert each other to new forms of fulfilment. In this way, cultural diversity is an important constituennt of self making and human freedom”, Derek Pigrum

“International education must be more than the five “Fs”—food, festivals, famous people, fashion, and flags” George Walker, Director General of the International Baccalaureate Organization

27 Jan – International Day of commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust 08 Mar –International women’s day 21 Mar –International mother language day

31 Mar –Earth hour 21 Sept – International Peace day

Learning to know Learning to do Learning to live together  Learning to be   



(Learning: the treasure within, The Delors Report, UNESCO 1996)

Celebrating diversity Understanding culture  Global awareness  Other ways of knowing  Shared humanity  



(Trends in international education and the IBO of the future, George Walker, IBNA, Quebec, 1999)

And now for the news…you come in the morning, time for register and all the other start-to-the-day duties. How on earth can you bring international learning into this? Well, whilst you’re busy with the admin, let the class listen to the daily children’s news podcast from the BBC world service. The 3 to 4 minute podcast covers the main stories of the day, and is bound to lead to great discussions and debates afterwards.

Maps, maps and more maps…does your classroom environment reflect the world? Maps are a brilliant way to help children begin to ‘see’ the world and from a range of perspectives.