Vermont
Global Issues Network
Summit
April 9th 2012
Vermont State House
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GLOBAL ISSUES
NETWORK
INITIATIVES
Empowering Students
Student led GIN conferences around the globe
Connectivity via global networks
On the ground student led sustainable projects
Sharing information through online communities
and digital media
Developing school curricula to embed GIN into
the fabric of the school
Partnerships with NGOs, mentors, universities
and other local and international schools 2
GIN MISSION:
• EMPOWER students to
realize their ability to make a
difference in collaboration
with their peers as they
• DEVELOP &
IMPLEMENT
SUSTAINABLE
• solutions for global issues
• LOCALLY,
REGIONALLY
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HIGH NOON
20 GLOBAL PROBLEMS
20 YEARS TO SOLVE THEM
Written by Jean Francois Rischard in
2002.
Basic premise: Global Issues Networks
created with a goal of sharing
information and instituting solutions.
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Jean Francois Rischard
Former Vice President of the World
Bank
states two exponential forces are
dramatically changing the world and
breeding unprecedented complexity
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Our students have been
made very aware of these
Exponential Forces
Endangering the Earth
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World population tripling from 1960 to
9 billion by 2050, putting our small
planet and its thin biosphere under
great stress.
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The world economy is being driven
into “overdrive” taking us to the limits of
the planets support capacity. Existing
human institutions, social and political,
evolve more slowly and will be
overwhelmed.
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Rischard’s Recommendations
“I strongly believe that it will take the combination of a new
method of global problem solving and a new mindset to
get the world to snap out of its paralysis in the face of the
dangerous pileup of urgent but unresolved global problems.”
“Schools have a pressing responsibility in this regard to
expose the next generations more systematically to these
global problems and help them develop the new mindset
that is needed --- the “global citizens first” mindset.”
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“… tomorrow’s generations
must develop a network
oriented mindset if they are
going to solve the burning
global problems that stare us
in the face.” - JFR
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We are creating a new
mindset..
A global perspective
that nurtures a
responsible empathetic
global citizenry.
As responsible global
citizens we must have a
variety of tools to share
our knowledge and
sustainable solutions.
Beijing 2008
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Luxembourg
Washington DC
Abu Dhabi
Jakarta, Indonesia
Lima, Peru
Maputo, Mozambique
Global Issues Network
GIN CONFERENCE 2008
EARTH’S HOPE
http://www.earcos.org/gin2008/
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GIN CONFERENCE 2009
2nd Annual EARCOS Global Issues Network Conference
at International School Bangkok,
March 20-22, 2009
http://earcosgin.ning.com/
Don’t’ miss the video links!
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First step
Please join our global site
global-issuesnetwork.org
Over 1000 members from 70
countries
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Share and exchange ideas in the present
as a global community that understands
our past and can create a sustainable
future.
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Students involved in Global Issues
Network can better meet the demands
of the 21st Century by combining
critical thinking, creativity and
innovation to find and share
sustainable solutions to address the
global problems.
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Issues Currently Being
Addressed by GIN Students
Global Warming
Implementing a variety of ways to
reduce school’s carbon footprint and
seeking offsets-working with 350.org
Poverty
Raise awareness, provide
assistance, and micro-finance
opportunities
Environmental regeneration
Composting/gardens
Emergence of locavores
abolish the use of plastic
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GLOBAL ISSUES NETWORK
OUR VISION
•
Students realize they can make a
difference as empowered “global
citizens” working with their peers to
develop solutions for global issues.
•
This potential of a truly international
network of students is within our reach, but
this vision can only be realized with our
continued commitment.
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Upcoming GIN Summit will
allow students to
Recognize and nurture the potential and
power found in our communities.
Connect and support this network to
exchange ideas and support each others
efforts.
Tackle global issues and to then present the
results of their efforts at future summits
Return “home” with an plan for making our
efforts sustainable and to share those plans.
Remain empowered and committed.
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Calculating the Conference
Carbon Footprint
offset the conference footprint for two
years
350.org has encouraged us to
challenge schools to calculate our
footprint and measure it regularly
working on actions to lighten the load.
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Student Empowerment is key
Invite interested students to join the
GIN “group”. Attracts a range of
students.
Begin by recognizing what is already
being done in your school.
Students choose a project to be the
focal point of the students work
This project will then serve as the focal
point for student action.
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Student Empowerment
the student is in the role of learner,
teacher and change maker
network provides a way to stay in touch
with like minded people, synergy and
power develop.
resources are shared
recommend reaching out to
communities to create shared project
and sustainable solutions
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thought to share
As one student so poignantly
expressed, “coming together with 300
others who deeply care and want to
make a difference is something I am
truly looking forward to by attending the
conference and being a part of the
network.”
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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
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THE FUTURE..
* These truly “global” networks will
continue the sharing of innovative
projects and solutions nurturing
sustainable change to truly make a
difference in our world.
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