Proud Australian, good global citizen – balance begins in the classroom
The human experience has never been more globally-connected – but a CQUniversity expert is warning that young people are at risk of falling prey to divisive parochial politics.
Dr Karena Menzie-Ballantyne is a Senior Lecturer in Education, and recently delivered the Distinguished Global Lecture to the 30th Educational Leadership Forum, for the Global Citizenship Foundation.
The Bundaberg-based academic argued that political forces are cynically hijacking national identity to exclude particular individuals and groups, pointing to America, Israel, Russia, and the recent March for Australia rallies as examples.
“Too often in this ‘post truth’ era, national pride and civic identity are being used as a weapon, a way to ‘other’ or exclude,” she said.
Dr Menzie-Ballatyne’s address, ‘Implementing and measuring citizenship education for inclusion and success’, reflected on how classrooms and curriculum can encourage respect and inclusion at national and global levels.
“The Australian curriculum highlights the importance of civic pride: of knowing who we are and where we come from, knowing our history, culture, values and traditions, and feeling a sense of belonging and responsibility to our national community,” she explained.
“National citizenship and global citizenship are complementary, not competing agendas – and research shows our classrooms can cater to both.”
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines global citizenship as a sense of belonging to a global community, and a common humanity and shared responsibility for a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.
Dr Menzie-Ballantyne said instilling those attitudes could begin with local experiences.
She shared the example that regional Queensland students developed deep and transferable understanding of cultural reasons that the name of Fraser Island was changed to K’Gari, the cultural name used by Traditional Owners the Butchulla peoples.
Following the lecture, delivered to an online audience on Wednesday 15 October, Samuel Agboola from the Global Citizenship Foundation paid tribute to Dr Menzie-Ballyntyne’s “inspiring and engaging” contribution.
Your insights and depth of expertise truly enriched the session…(and) resonated strongly with educators from across the globe.”
Last year, Dr Menzie-Ballantyne worked with a global team to develop an implementation program for UNESCO’s Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development.
At CQUniversity, she’s also developed a micro-credential to equip teachers to foster global citizenship in the classroom.
Dr Mezie-Ballantyne's lecture will be shared on the Global Citizenship Foundation Youtube page.
