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Annual Report 2001 – 2002 ]
The Chairman writes
I am delighted that this year sees the introduction of citizenship,
including its global dimension, as a compulsory curriculum subject.
Events have shown how right has been the decision to bring into
mainstream education issues about young people’s identity
and responsibility in the world.
Many words have been used to try to describe the results of greater
globalisation. At the extremes are those who believe it is devastating
the lives of already very poor people and those who believe it is
helping economic growth for all. The truth is that we do not know
for sure – the times are uncertain and confusing. Young people
need the chance to explore what is happening, and citizenship (with
its global dimension) significantly expands the opportunity for
this.
Geography will continue to be the curriculum focus for our activities,
complementing the work of our traditional partners and colleagues,
such as the Geographical Association and the Royal Geographical
Society. But increasingly the recognition that other school activities
must be set in a global context offers a wider relevance for our
products and services.
My delight in seeing these moves is only tempered by the huge challenge
posed to teachers who may not have the training and experience to
introduce the global dimension effectively. It is an uncomfortable
area where there are no right answers, but where it is essential
to expose students to the widest range of perspectives and to invite
intelligent enquiry.
The contribution of Worldaware (among other organisations) is crucial.
This year’s report summarises our recent achievements. I am
particularly pleased that our flagship publication, Global Eye,
has seen such success. It is undoubtedly a market leader in bringing
up-to-date material into schools in a highly attractive way, and
the impressive level of use by schools of its dedicated website
shows how Worldaware adapts to modern needs.
Our ability to bring young people face to face with today’s
global development challenges through direct interaction with practitioners
in the public, private and NGO sectors offers schools extra opportunities
for learning. Our programme of conferences and workshops on issues
surrounding globalisation, now in its second year, is a good example
of this. I hope we can expand it across the country as people realise
the universal value of practical interaction for students on global
issues.
This has been Worldaware’s first full year at its new offices
in Coulsdon. We have settled well, with an excellent new team, and
the year has seen positive contacts with many local schools and
colleges, as well as local education authorities – a good
start.
As to the future, I remarked last year on funding uncertainties.
As I write, substantial reductions in grant aid from the Department
for International Development are taking a toll. We continue to
focus on replacement income streams, but there is I fear still some
way to go before we can look ahead with confidence. In a world that
is increasingly interdependent, Worldaware brings global issues
alive for young people in ways they can relate to. It would be tragic
if we were not able to continue doing this for future generations.
Sir Jim Lester DL
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