November 1998 – April 2000
Council for Education in World Citizenship (CEWC)
Director of Curriculum Development
“Since 1939 CEWC has
* provided opportunities for young people to debate international political issues and meet leaders of the day: many former students are now in senior positions in politics, business, education and the media
* published independent non-partisan information about world affairs, helping young people to form their own ideas
* produced education materials which have been greatly valued by teachers and students
* enabled young people to be active citizens”
I picked up an established project on drugs and international development part-funded by the European Commission and involving organisations and sixth-form students in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands. Representatives of each group met for international conferences in Strasbourg and Brussels.
These were run as a variation on the existing model United Nations General Assembly events run in schools. It was a privilege and great fun working with young people given reign to expressing their views. I was also involved in production of a newsletter and other publications for teachers in schools and colleges. Packs were updated or produced on the model UN events, the European dimension (Europe 2000 plus!) and one on global drugs issues called “High Seize: drugs and active global citizenship”.
The work of this organisation made an idealistic connection with my gap year at the United Nations in New York and interest in global issues. Having carried the torch for a long term, citizenship education became a curriculum reality.
Read a review of curriculum books >
