About International
'International' implies things which happen outside the UK. However
'Global' recognises that the world is getting smaller, that what's
happening in one part of the world affects us and what we do in the
UK can affect other parts of the world.
The decisions and actions taken locally can increasingly affect
people in other parts of the world. Think about the food we eat,
the clothes we wear, the music we listen to and the television
programmes we watch, they all offer us insights into how our lives
have been 'globalised'.
We want to encourage young people to increase their understanding
of the links between the personal, local and global and promote
their active participation in actions to bring about change towards
greater equity and justice.
Please do not be daunted!! Why not try this three step process to
enrich your programme and further global awareness within
Scouting.
- Raise awareness, to explain the context and use suitable
activities to make necessary points.
- Accept responsibility for a better future through discussion
and debate.
- Take action to make it happen. There are a whole variety of
ways that young people can take action.
- They can inform other young people and members of their
community (running activities, do a display, contact their local
paper etc)
- Change the way they do things (conserve energy, buy Fair Trade
goods, use less water etc)
- Take part in an Agency Campaign (ie Save the Children's
campaign to Beat Poverty, Unicef's campaign to end Child
Exploitation etc)
- Take part in an International Day of Awareness (ie World Aids
Day, World Fair Trade Day, Red Nose Day etc)
The possibilities are endless! Think what is happening in the
news, think of food, think of sport, think of music and TV, think
of outdoor activities and the environment- its all global!
Have a look through the following pages and incorporate a global
dimension to your programme.