The global dimension

The global dimension incorporates eight key concepts:

• Global citizenship - gaining the knowledge, skills and understanding of concepts and institutions necessary to become informed, active, responsible citizens
• Diversity - understanding and respecting differences and relating these to our common humanity
• Human rights - knowing about human rights including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Interdependence - understanding how people, places, economies and environments are all inextricably interrelated, and that choices and events have repercussions on a global scale
• Conflict resolution - understanding the nature of conflicts, their impact on development and why there is a need for their resolution and the promotion of harmony
• Social justice - understanding the importance of social justice as an element in both sustainable development and the improved welfare of all people
• Values and perceptions - developing a critical evalution of representations of global issues and an appreciation of the effect these have on people's attitudes and values
• Sustainable development - understanding the need to maintain and improve the quality of life now without damaging the planet for future generations

(source: Developing the global dimension in the school curriculum, published by the Department for International Development, March 2005) Appropriate activities and discussions can be used at each key stage level. For example, in the foundation stage, children can:

• be involved in repairing or recycling materials
• consider how their behaviour affects others' feelings
• try activities from different cultures

In key stage 3 and 4, they can:

• study and critically assess the media from their own and other countries
• explore the positive and negative effects of technology
• analyse how beliefs and ideas are represented by art from various cultures

These are just a few examples. For more information, visit BPEC and browse our teaching resources, or see the Global Dimension website.