When budgets are being squeezed, it's important to remember the interdependent nature of the world we live in and keep International Development issues present in the minds of the UK public.

Educating about International Development issues encourages awareness and critical thought about poverty, climate change, global diversity, as well as world trade and politics. Education allows for better understanding about the causes of poverty and why taxpayers money is spent on International Development.
Recent Ipsos MORI research, commissioned by the education charity, DEA which promotes global learning, revealed that:

“The overwhelming majority of the British public believe in the importance of educating both children and adults about global issues such as poverty and climate change, as a means of ensuring they are tackled in the future.”

86% support teaching children/young people about global issues like poverty and climate change, while 76% agree that adults should continue to be informed about these issues after leaving school.
Additonally, people who learn about global issues are more likely to make a difference to the environment, show more social responsibility, support International Development spending and feel more comfortable with racial and religious difference.
For more details about the report, click here

Brighton Peace and Environment Centre (BPEC), one of around 50 Global Education centres across the UK, have been working for over twenty five years to raise awareness, dialogue and debate about issues which affect the global community and empower communities to be involved at a local level.
The centre recognises that we are in the midst of a severe global economic downturn and that financial resources are under increasing pressure.  However, an efficient International Development programme needs to be accompanied by an effective Global Education programme that actively engages the public with world issues in a meaningful way.  

Global Education has produced enduring international learning opportunities in sectors across civil society. These have resulted in wide public support for overseas development programmes and poverty eradication programmes, such as The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  We must maintain this level of public support if we are to achieve the MDGs.

We urge the Secretary of State for International Development to desist from the cuts to Global Education spending announced in the recent government press release and to protect the local delivery of Global Education services. 

Click here for DFID press release