Grade 12 Global Issues: Citizenship and Sustainability Course Rationale State of the Planet Although the Earth is 4.6 billion years old, modern humans have been round for just a small fraction of that time - about 250,000 years. Since then, somewhere between 60 and 110 billion people are thought to have lived on this planet, civilizations have come and gone, and through all this time the Earth has nourished and sustained life. Until recently we have not paid a great deal of attention to the impact of human activity and civilizations on the state of the planet, nor have we paid adequate attention to the needs of our fellow humans. In recent years, people have watched with increasing concern as significant environmental changes have become more apparent. We are beginning to realize that these changes may be the result of human activity – and, even worse, that our future on Earth is no longer certain. The 20th century has also seen the beginning of global efforts to Millennium Development Goals improve human quality of life by working toward collective social 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and goals. In 1948, the United Nations Declaration of Universal Human Rights marked a significant turning point in concern for the dignity hunger of all human beings, while in the year 2000 the UN established the 2. Achieve universal primary Millennium Development Goals to improve life for people across education the globe. 3. Promote gender equality and empower women Although some progress has been made, if we are to improve the human condition and sustain the Earth for future generations, more 4. Reduce child mortality work must be done. We cannot continue along the path we are on 5. Improve maternal health – we need to change the way we live, reconnect to the natural 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and world, develop an ethos based on ecological thinking and global other diseases concern, and teach our children to do the same. 7. Ensure environmental Why students should take this course sustainability 8. Develop a Global Partnership for Social studies examines human societies and the complex interactions of human beings living together in a shared world. This Development course provides a lens of ecological literacy through which students http://www.undp.org/mdg/ can study and understand the complex and often critical global issues that societies face today. Through this lens, students apply concepts related to sustainability, learn about the interdependence of environmental, social, political and economic systems, and develop competencies for thinking and acting as ecologically literate citizens committed to social justice. The overall purpose of this study is not to instil fear in the next generation, nor to make students feel guilty for problems which are the cumulative legacy of many generations of mistakes, recklessness, and, in some cases, deliberate neglect or exploitation. Rather, the intent is to help students understand that human societies and institutions can and should be renewed, beginning with matters of personal lifestyle, and extending through to collective, large-scale social change. The role of education in this change is vital, hence the importance of this course both as an instrument of critical understanding – seeking the truth – and as an instrument of hope – seeking to create a better future. The role of education in social change Education plays a crucial role in motivating and informing Education is the point at which we both personal and social change. With this in mind, this decide whether we love the world course is designed to help students acquire a critical enough to assume responsibility for awareness about global issues, to alert them to the need to it and, by the same token save it be vigilant about the consequences of their decisions and from ruin which, except for actions, and to provide them with opportunities to take renewal, except for the coming of action for positive change. the new and young, would be This course consolidates learning across the disciplines and inevitable. And education, too, is helps students develop competencies as citizens who are where we decide whether we love mindful of their place in nature and in society and who are our children enough not to expel willing to work together toward a sustainable future. The them from our world and leave pedagogical approach is based on the principles of active them to their own devices, not to democratic citizenship, ecological literacy, critical media strike from their hands their chance literacy, and ethical decision-making. Throughout the of undertaking something new, course, students examine the social, political, something unforeseen by us, but to environmental, and economic impact of emerging issues on prepare them in advance for the quality of life – locally, nationally and globally. They are task of renewing a common world. provided with opportunities to engage in inquiry, active Hannah Arendt (1968).The crisis in experiential learning, dialogue, collaboration, reflection and education. New York: Penguin Books, decision-making. With a view to transforming life practices, p. 196 this course includes the planning and implementation of a school or community based action-research project. 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