Canada in the world today

This project directly meets the mandate of the GCI by encouraging “Canadian youth to actively explore international cooperation issues” and to “to see themselves—as responsible global citizens.”  This project builds on previous work funded by CIDA by developing a curriculum of studies from Grades 5 to 9 whose objective is to educate children to “become informed about and engaged in global issues”, and to “get to know their global neighbours, appreciate different world views, and understand the global impact of their choices and actions.” 

The unique contributions that Canadians make through this Global Classroom Initiative approaches development from a non-eurocentric approach; an approach that suggests that the greatest contributions that Canadians can make worldwide is through informed understanding, awareness, and ultimately through actions; actions that shift Canadian habits of mind, lifestyles, and ways of seeing and living within the world. 

It is not the goal nor the vision of this Global Classroom Initiative to suggest to students that we “Canadians” have all the answers and solutions to the world’s problems; rather that we have a role to play in understanding the interconnectedness and interdependence of our planet and the impact that we have in our world – both locally and globally - through the decisions and choices that we make on a daily basis.

Links to many Canadian international development organizations and other education resources can be found on the Resources link up to the left.