acgc teach fall 2014
DESCRIPTION
Volume 8 of the ACGC digital newsletter for educators. This newsletter provides information about educational initiatives, projects and activities for Alberta educators.TRANSCRIPT
ACGC is happy to build a partnership with Ram Etwaroo, a Career and Technology Studies teacher at Fort McMurray Composite High School. Ram connected with ACGC though his participation in the
Global Citizenship Summer Institute, where his passion for global citizenship education made an impact on all who attended. Ram’s main contribution to the promotion of global citizenship is his desire to break down cultural barriers and attitudes, and promote cross-cultural understanding within his school and community. Growing up, Ram was involved in promoting issues of equality, solidarity and social justice as these were challenges he faced daily: “Even as a child I understood racism and religious intolerance. In my university days, I was actively involved in the fight against apartheid
and racism. As an immigrant of color, I experienced racism myself and I understand very well the challenges immigrant students and their parents face.” Today, through his many roles as a teacher, a parent, a visible minority immigrant to Canada, and a Canadian citizen, he is able to draw on his unique experience and challenge those around him: “I am fighting to change attitudes in all of us. I believe that for us to change attitudes, we need to promote global citizenship, equality, solidarity and social justice amongst our students in our schools. It is no coincidence that I am a teacher and seek to be actively involved and do my part.” For Ram, teachers play a vital role in shaping a student’s identity and destiny, and need to be equipped with the skills, knowledge and competency to build an inclusive classroom. Formally, Ram advocates for this by being a member of the Alberta Teachers’ Association Diversity, Equity and Human Rights
Call for ‘Top 30 Under 30’ Nominations
Committee, and the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo. However, he also promotes simple ideas, such as making those around him aware of various cultural celebrations when they occur: “I expect that teachers and schools will take a minute to say, “Happy Diwali!” to students; similarly, “Eid Mubarak!” and “Merry Christmas!” For Ram, these are things all teachers can do to make schools more inclusive. After years working all over Canada, Ram considers Fort McMurray a unique community in which to work and educate about global citizenship: “Although remote, it is a very diverse, multicultural community with people from many parts of the world who came to work in the oil sands. As teachers, we simply need to connect with the parents and tap into the wealth of knowledge and resources available in the community.” With passion and commitment, Ram’s goal is work towards promoting these ideals for the rest his life.
Educator Profile: Ram Etwaroo
V O L U M E 8
AUTUMN 2014 A PUBLICATION OF THE ALBERTA COUNCIL FOR GLOBAL COOPERATION
Young people are changing the world! Throughout Alberta, extraordinary young people are engaging with the world to create a more sustainable and just future. ACGC is committed to finding these youth and sharing their stories with all Albertans! Since 2012, ACGC’s “Top 30 Under 30” Magazine has done just that. Over the years, we’ve profiled 90 amazing young people and reached a wide Al-bertan audience through print and online distribution. We are excited to
launch the magazine during this year’s International Development Week, Feb-ruary 1 – 7, 2015. This year’s theme is “We are making a difference” with a focus on maternal, newborn, and child health. ACGC is looking for youth engaged in international development from both the Global South and Alberta. We cannot wait to hear about the incredi-ble youth YOU are working with! Visit acgc.ca for nomination forms or con-tact Chelsea at [email protected].
International Education Week: November 17-21st, 2014
This annual week, celebrated in over 100 countries around the globe, provides an oppor-
tunity for students, teachers, and schools to showcase the rich variety of innovative pro-
grams and activities that expose students to an international dimension, enriching their
learning and preparing them for global citizenship. Get involved by checking out
http://www.education.alberta.ca/students/internationaleducation/intedweek.aspx
Global, Environmental & Outdoor Education Council of A.T.A. Conference
May 1-3, 2015, at the Palisades Stewardship Educational Centre in Jasper National Park. For
more information contact [email protected] or visit www.geoec.org.
ACGC Change Your World: Youth Leadership Tour 2015: Change Your World is
an opportunity for five Alberta youth to visit and connect with Alberta international devel-
opment organizations working internationally. The destination and nomination process will
be announced early in 2015. Stay tuned for more information, or contact [email protected].
I-Week Youth Day 2015! P A G E 2
More Opportunities!
...that Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (often referred to as
MNCH) is Canada’s flagship development priority? The Department of
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development’s YouTube Channel has a variety
of short videos highlighting how Canadians are tackling issues faced by
women and children globally. Use the videos to start discussions with your students!
Look for the MNCH Playlist on the DFATD MAECD YouTube Channel.
Did you know...
Do you know a youth that wants to change the
world? Tell them about I-Week Youth Day 2015
on January 29th!
Youth Day is a full day of interactive workshops and
lectures from some of the world’s most fascinating
humanitarians, development workers, and social jus-
tice leaders. It is the perfect place to learn how to
make a positive impact in a smart way. Focusing on
thoughtful and effective development work, Youth
Day will challenge your perceptions of “helping the
third world” and help give you the tools and connec-
tions to make impactful change.
Put on by ACGC in co-ordination with the University
of Alberta Global Education Program’s flagship event, International Week, I-Week
Youth Day is the ideal introduction for grade 9-12 students to the amazing develop-
ment work Albertans are doing.
We welcome both class-size registrations or single students interested in contributing
to a better world. Teachers are welcome to register alongside their students though
not required. Students are expected to arrange their own transportation to and from
the University of Alberta, though ACGC can help facilitate transport for individuals
coming from longer distances. Early registration closes December 19, 2014 and regular
registration closes January 19th, 2015. Youth that register early will have first session
choices. Registration is free. Space is limited so register early to guarantee a spot!
Register by
December 19th
2014
Students can register
online at www.acgc.ca.
For specific inquires
please contact Chelsea
Donelon at
P A G E 3 V O L U M E 8
Global Citizenship Summer Institute a Success! Thirty-five teachers from across Alberta convened this
past summer for the Global Citizenship Summer Institute
held in collaboration between ACGC, Aga Khan
Foundation Canada and the Centre for Global Citizenship
Education & Research (CGCER) at the University of
Alberta. Months of planning
came to fruition during the
weeklong Institute where
teachers explored the
theoretical foundations and
practical applications of
themes such as critical
global citizenship,
international development,
human rights based
approaches & Indigenous
ways of knowing and being.
One of many highlights was
an insightful trek into the
River Valley led by
Professor Dwayne Donald,
that explored Edmonton as
a traditional gathering place.
He called upon teachers to
create opportunities for
students to see themselves,
and their actions, as
connected to the natural
environment. Dr. Fawad
Akbari from Aga Khan
Foundation Canada, spoke
about development challenges and successes in health and
education in Afghanistan. Participants were also fortunate
to have in attendance Dr. Rosemary Moyana, Dean of
Education from the University of Zimbabwe, who shared
yet another international dimension that examined
initiatives underway to prepare global educators in
universities in Zimbabwe and across the continent.
The K-12 teachers were thrilled each day to learn about
contemporary issues in global citizenship education from
leading experts, Dr. Ali Abdi and Dr. Lynette Schultz, lead
co-facilitators from the CGCER. The GCSI participants
left with a deeper understanding of how to transform
themselves into critical
global citizenship educators
and how to create
environments within their
classrooms that enable
students to move beyond
awareness of rights and
responsibilities toward
empathetic local and global
actions centered around
equity and justice across all
communities.
The Global Citizenship
Summer Institute
participants have since
returned to their teaching
contexts with motivation
and inspiration to extend
their learning to their
students and colleagues.
The Institute was a
tremendous success,
serving the long awaited
need to build a cohesive
community of educators,
all experts in their own
right, who continue to work tirelessly to advance quality
global citizenship education to students across this
province.
If you would like to join the global citizenship educator
mailing list for updates, please email Leah Ettarh at
A comprehensive list of resources for classroom
use developed as part of the institute is available
to download on the ACGC Website! Look under
the banner ‘For Educators and Youth’
The organisers created an open learning environment, where the
experiences of both the lecturers and participants were shared
openly. I was able to take back a number of tools for addressing
international citizenship with youth across the Yukon. It was a
privilege to be involved! - GCSI 2014 participant
Watch a video and clips from presentations by
visiting the Aga Khan Foundation Canada’s
website.
http://akfc.ca/en/get-involved/gcsi
Suite 205, 10816A-82 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T6E 2B3
Phone: 780-988-0200 | Fax: 780-988-0211
Follow us on:
ACGC can be contacted at:
What’s your school doing?
Share your activities with
us and see your school
profiled in our next
ACGC teach newsletter!
www.acgc.ca/teach
ACGC CURRENT MEMBERSHIP
November 2014
Action International Ministries ˑ Ainembabazi Chil-
dren’s Project ˑ Alberta Teachers’ Association ˑ
Altamas for Peace and Development Association ˑ
Bridges of Hope International Network of Devel-
opment Agencies ˑ Calgary Board of Education
Global Learning Program ˑ Canada World Youth ˑ
Canadian Association for Participatory Develop-
ment ˑ Canadian Catholic Organization for Devel-
opment and Peace ˑ Canadian Department of
Peace Initiative ˑ Canadian Humanitarian Organiza-
tion for international Reliefˑ Canadian Moravian
Mission Society ˑ Canadian Peacemakers Interna-
tional ˑ Canadian Women for Women in Afghani-
stanˑ Caro-Canadians Reaching Out to the
World's Children Foundation ˑ CAUSE Canada ˑ
CEIBA Association ˑ Centre for Affordable Water
and Sanitation Technology ˑ Centre for Global
Citizenship Education and Research ˑ Change for
Children Association ˑ Crossroads Christian Com-
municatioins Inc ˑ Cuso International ˑ Energy4Eve-
ryone Foundation ˑ Engineers Without Borders-
Canada ˑ Ghost River Rediscovery ˑ Global Educa-
tion Program, University of Alberta International ˑ
Human Development Foundation ˑ International
Centre for Development Learning ˑ John Humph-
rey Centre for Peace and Human Rights ˑ
Keiskamma Canada Foundation ˑ Light Up the
World ˑ Maharashtra Seva Samiti Organization ˑ
Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World
Peace ˑ Marda Loop Justice Film Festival ˑ Mennon-
ite Central Committee Alberta ˑ Micah Centre—
King University College ˑ Minkha Knitters Cooper-
ative ˑ Mission of Mercy ˑ One Child's Village ˑ
One! International Poverty Relief ˑ Operation
Eyesight Canada ˑ Optometry Giving Sight ˑ Oxfam
Canada ˑ Rainbow for the Future ˑ Rainbow of
Hope for Children ˑ ReadAfrica ˑ Rotary Club of
Edmonton ˑ Sahakarini Inter-World Education &
Development Association ˑ Samaritan's Purse Can-
ada ˑ Sinkunia Community Development Organiza-
tion ˑ Somali-Canadian Education & Rural Devel-
opment Organization ˑ Sombrilla International
Development Society ˑ STOP TB Canada ˑ Sustain-
able East African Education & Development Socie-
ty of Alberta ˑ True Vision Ghana ˑ United Nations
Association in Canada ˑ Women's Empowerment
International Foundation ˑ
ACGC Teach is undertaken with the financial support of the Government of
Canada provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
(DFATD).
Teachers looking to connect younger
readers with issues of peace and
human rights will find inspiration in a
blog written by University of Alberta
graduate student, Muna Saleh. The
site contains insightful overviews and
thoughtful reflections on twelve
picture books, as well as the
reference information necessary in
order to obtain copies.
The blog reflects a compilation of
resources used by professors in courses at the Mahatma Gandhi Summer Institute
on Building Peaceful Communities, put on annually by ACGC member organization,
the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace, and the University of
Alberta’s Center for Research for Teacher Education and Development (CRTED)
within the Department of Elementary Education.
The blog is available under the heading ‘CRTED Resources’ at
http://www.elementaryed.ualberta.ca/Centres/CRTED.aspx
Featured Resource: Picture Books for Peace