DFID’s work with schools and young people
DFID recognises the importance of ensuring that people in the UK are informed about international development, and the vital role which schools play in this. DFID supports global learning in schools, enabling young people to think critically about global issues and to feel empowered to take action as responsible global citizens.
The national Development Education organisations
DFID supports national organisations which act as networking, research, support and advocacy agencies for development education in the UK. These are the Development Education Association (DEA) in England and Cyfanfyd in Wales.
The Global Dimension website, run by DEA is a free online database of global learning resources for teachers. This includes case studies, information on school speaker services, and opportunities for professional development.
Support for global learning in schools - England
Since 2000 DFID funded the Enabling Effective Support (EES) programme to help the education sector ensure global issues were taught in schools. In 2009, following an independent review of our development education work in UK schools DFID took a decision to replace the EES programme with a new Global Learning Programme which aims to achieve results directly focused on the learner, through partnerships between the voluntary and statutory sectors.
The process of developing this new programme is underway.
Support for global learning in schools - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Education policy is a managed by the devolved administrations.
In Scotland a new Global Learning Programme replaced the EES programme from April 2010. It is managed by IDEAS and aims to help the Scottish education system to deliver effective global learning in schools and teacher education organisations.
We are discussing with partners in Wales and Northern Ireland about the best way to continue our support to global learning in these parts of the UK.
Global School Partnerships (GSP)
The Global School Partnership programme supports twinning arrangements between schools in the UK and schools in developing countries. These partnerships are a powerful, enjoyable and exciting way of bringing global issues into the lives of young people, their teachers, families and local communities. It aims to motivate young people’s commitment to a fairer, more sustainable world.
The GSP offers support and guidance to teachers, and grants to schools to make the most out of a partnership, both as a learning tool for students and to develop and embed a global dimension within their curriculum. It aims to support 5,000 UK school partnerships by March 2012. Find out how your school can get benefit.
The Global Student Forum
DFID supports Damaris Global Learning, to run engaging national conferences on international development for up to 600 sixth formers in the UK. The students learn about a key aspect of international development on the day and take away a toolkit of multimedia material which they use to teach other students in their own schools and in their local primary schools. In all, the project aims to reach 230,000 learners. Get involved!
Research
DFID supports Development Education Research Centre (DERC) which undertakes research on young people’s engagement in international development on:
More information on the DERC.
Wider work with young people
DFID supports Platform2, a scheme which enables 18 – 25 year olds in the UK who would not otherwise have the opportunity to volunteer on a poverty reduction project in a developing country for 10 weeks. The scheme is managed by Christian Aid and BUNAC. It reaches far more people in the UK than just the 1,950 volunteers which Platform2 aims to send on placements. Once back in the UK, volunteers get involved in creative activities to engage their local communities and peers on what they have learnt about poverty and development from their volunteering experience.
