Development Education in UK Schools and Colleges

Kenyan children in the UKConcern Universal works in partnership with local schools and a network of volunteers to deliver enriched development education in schools and colleges in the West Midlands, the SouthWest and South Wales.

We work to raise awareness and understanding of the global dimension and inspire young people to play their part in creating a world where justice, dignity and respect prevail for all.

Our Development Education programme in schools has three main elements:

International speaker visits

Speakers are always unique and inspiring individuals from the countries where we work in Africa, Asia and Latin America, who have chosen to dedicate their work to fighting poverty and inequality. They will usually also be technical experts in their development field, who are elected from Concern Universal and partner staff overseas.

Nanpet in a fairtrade shop in a reception class

Our most recent visitor was Nanpet Chukutu Jones (pictured above), the Water and Sanitation Officer, CU Nigeria, March 2010. 


Masa at Hampton Dene SchoolWe host three or more international speakers per year, during Spring, Summer and Autumn school terms. Each speaker will visit around 15 schools in the region, both secondary and primary schools.

The international speaker will relate first hand their experiences of issues from a personal perspective and from those of the people with whom they work, and also answer the many questions children have about life in other countries. Pupils have the opportunity to discuss topics with someone from a very different culture to their own, who is open and willing to discuss their own childhood and experiences. Children and young people meet someone working in a range of roles in an NGO and will find out more about how change is affected within communities.

Geography Sustainable DevelopmentDevelopment Education workshops

We have a number of Global Citizenship resources that can compliment and enhance the curriculum. For example, for Key Stages 1 and 2, these include water and food and for Key Stages 3 and 4, human rights and sustainable development workshops. As well as encouraging deeper reflection and understanding of the issues, these workshops include practical follow-up activities.
World Water Day in schoolsThese are available throughout the year, to tie in with international speaker visits and the themes for their talks.  Last year, around 2,600 pupils benefited from the workshop programme. This year we hope to work in many more schools, so that even more pupils benefit and get involved.

Global Citizeship Projects

Young people are encouraged to devise their own activities to spread key messages and make a difference once they have heard a speaker or had a workshop.

Activites can include:

  • A play to highlight human rights
  • A school wide campaign to reduce energy
  • Poster competition to promote fair trade
  • Fair trade tuck shop
  • Promoting a Eco-schools club/school committee
  • A youth-led debate on development issues

...plus so many more!

For more information please contact jenny.holland@concern-universal.org 01432 355111

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