Empathy to Impact: Student Voices on Global Citizenship Education & Community Engagement

In this two-part story, Larry, Itu, Chinwe and Anna join me on the podcast from the International School of Dakar in Senegal. These four student leaders, following stories of discrimination and inequality from their school community being posted anonymously on social media in June 2020, and in Larry’s case even earlier than this, chose to stand up and take positive action for change. Working collaboratively with trusted teachers and the school administration, these students are doing everything from leading professional development workshops for teachers to promote allyship and ensure that their community is a place where diversity is celebrated, to making sure that the health curriculum includes LGBTQ+ sexuality. They have even shared their work at international conferences. Nothing about us without us is for us is their slogan letting us know students deserve a voice in their own education and, when given the opportunity, students can transform the culture of a school community. This is a journey and it is only just beginning, but the impact they have had so far is something to celebrate and hopefully inspire other communities to follow their lead.