New micro-credential boosts educators' capacity to foster global citizenship

Australian schools and early childhood centres are set to grow global skills for their students' with a new tool for bringing international challenges into the classroom.

Leading Education for Global Citizenship and Global Competence is an innovative micro-credential developed by the Global Learning Centre and CQUniversity' and has already helped hundreds of educators foster global leadership in their students.

Educators undertaking the micro-credential will develop deeper understanding of the role diversity and inclusion plays in building social cohesion' as well as developing leadership and classroom approaches to teaching knowledge' skills' values and attitudes that students need to effectively navigate the 21st century globalised world.

The introduction of a global competence assessment to the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) emphasises that education for global citizenship and global competence is internationally recognised as an effective way to prepare young people to work' contribute and engage across borders and cultures.

CQUniversity lecturer Dr Karena Menzie-Ballantyne says there is growing demand for ways educators can foster the global competence of their students.

"Education for global citizenship is identified as a key driver of social cohesion at local' national and international levels'" she said.

"In order to foster global competence in their students' however' educators themselves need to be globally competent. This micro-credential provides that opportunity' together with practical strategies for their classrooms' and the success of our pilot of the program highlights the demand from educators to get involved."

In 2021' nearly 500 Queensland educators took on the pilot initiative' with the micro-credential now available nationally and internationally' and costing $120 (AUD).

Since 1986' the Global Learning Centre (GLC) has supported thousands of Queensland educators in universities' schools and early years settings to develop young people as active and responsible global citizens.

GLC Vice Chair Adele Rice AM says this involves empowering teachers to both influence the strategic direction of their schools and embed global perspectives and competencies in their daily teaching and learning.

"We are very excited by the possibility of this micro-credential to enhance those leadership capabilities and global competencies so that educators are equipped to meet the compelling realities of our globalised world'' she said.

With just eight hours study time and assessment via online quiz' successful completion generates a digital badge for LinkedIn or digital portfolios' as well as recognition of eight hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) through a Certificate of Completion.

CQUniversity has a global record for driving more engaged citizenship' through its commitment to social innovation. In May 2022 it was named Australia's first social enterprise university' recognised by Social Traders for achieving life-changing social impact across its operations.

Since 2016' CQUniversity has also been Australia's only Changemaker University' accredited by global network for social impact in education' Ashoka U.

The micro-credential assists registered teachers and educators to meet professional development requirements across the AISTL Professional Standards and Early Childhood National Quality Standards.

Enrol and start now at cqu.edu.au/courses/leading-education-for-global-citizenship-and-global-competence