Mission and strategy
New challenges as well as possibilities require that we are able to act both at local, national and global levels. We cannot separate the challenges, dreams and visions that young people face in Cairo, in New York, in Sao Paolo or in Copenhagen connected as they are by commercials, music and media. We all face the fact that it is no longer possible – if it has ever been – to separate the fishing industry in Lake Victoria from the weapon industry of France, or the migration to the ever faster growing cities in the global south from food production in the EU. Nor can we keep choosing not to find solutions to the immediate problems of the global south as outlined in the UN 2015 goals.
Global High Schools is motivated by a mission to create knowledge, dialogue and the ability to act as a global citizen as essential skills in the 21st century. We build on curiosity, creativity and respect inspiring the students to become lifelong learners with a broad understanding of an interconnected world.
We believe that with the shift of important decision making areas from national institutions towards international networks it becomes crucial to provide our students with an understanding of global aspects of society, politics and cultural interaction.
In the development of learning programmes we work closely together with international schools, universities and organizations to secure a challenging and involving education.
Global High Schools aim to encourage the formation of young global citizens able to:
- Place themselves in an interconnected world
- Enter in constructive dialogue
- Deal with cultural differences
- Connect knowledge and praxis
- Use innovative ways in dealing with global challenges
- Interact on local, national and global levels
Global High Schools
Aims for Global High Schools 2012
1. The high schools have written into their mission statements how each school incorporates a global vision in the areas of knowledge, plan of action and establishment of the Global High School programme.
2. The high schools have established the physical framework which reflects that they are a Global High School
3. The high schools have a timeframe and an action plan for sustainability in the school
4. The high schools have established contacts in local communities and businesses
5. The high schools have partner schools in America, Asia, Africa, South America and Europe
6. The high schools invite foreign guest teachers to teach at their schools
7. The teaching staff of the Global High Schools have a plan for visiting a high school abroad or for exchanging teaching topics with a teacher from a high school abroad
8. All classes attending the Global High School programme must complete:
- A topic which involves local, national and global interaction
- A topic which focuses on critical dialogue, on meeting of cultures and on establishing oneself in the world
- A topic which focuses on the interaction between global north and global south
- A joint topic with a partner class abroad
- An annual topic which focuses on global communication, global challenges and sustainable development
- An annual topic taught virtually
- All forms go on a study trip which combines the global aspect and the focus of each form (natural sciences, arts, languages etc.)
- All students have a face-to-face encounter with young people from abroad
- The students’ networks and resources are actively integrated in the planning of the various topics within different subject, study trips and activities at the school
- Global High Schools work towards being certified
Global High Schools has been presented with the World Aware Education Award by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe for the programme’s ‘excellence in networking, partnerships and co-ordination to increase and improve
