Institutionalising Global Citizenship

Conference: Global Citizenship Curriculum in Higher Education: Evolving Policy and Practice and a Future Research Agenda Symposium

Dates: 9-11 December 2013

Abstract:

Bournemouth University is well-known within the UK, for its ambition to develop global citizens who understand the need for sustainable development. In 2013, the university’s strategic vision embraces global perspectives and suggests: “With a continual sharing of ideas, cultures and knowledge our staff, students and alumni will gain a global perspective and participate as global citizens in addressing societal challenges and shaping society.” (BU 2018) The journey towards an institutional approach has been a long process which began before 2000, when a small group of individuals working bottom up, drafted a ‘Global Vision’ for the university and sought to engage senior leaders with an agenda for change. In 2005, a formal strategy for institutionalising the agenda was developed and work began on curriculum change across the university, as part of a strategic approach which encompassed exploring the role of the institution as a ‘global citizen’. Today, ‘global perspectives’ is fully integrated into vision and values; embedding the agenda across the institution has been reasonably successful. This presentation will summarise the development of an approach which has sought to institutionalise global citizenship; an outline of the model for global perspectives which has been taken forward will be provided. It will be argued that, in part, the success of the approach depends upon the ability to articulate a persuasive rationale for change, and to align global citizenship with other higher education ‘hot-buttons’ such as internationalisation, diversity, and employability. Reflection on the challenges of an institutional approach and lessons learned will be provided, from the perspective of a change champion.

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Chris Shiel