Update on Partnerships
We are currently more than half way through our partnership with 7 Faculties of Education, and the UNICEF Canada Global Classroom team continues to work with their very keen and committed partners toward transforming the perceptions, knowledge and capacity of teacher candidates, practicing teachers and their faculty to incorporate respect for and teaching of global education and children's rights.
One of the rewarding and far-reaching aspects of this work is that it allows us to compile comprehensive evaluations of the learning experiences of the teacher candidates, practicing teachers and faculty in our workshops and classes. Our research shows that these groups often have little or no experience of children's rights and global education, but after participating in a workshop feel very confident about integrating these concepts into their practice and see the benefit of doing so. Many of the teacher candidates expressed the view that all faculties of education should teach children's rights.
"I just honestly did not think about how very important this issue was before this workshop. I knew that human rights existed, but now I see what they mean." (OISE Teacher Candidate)
"I think all teacher candidates should be educated on this topic. All universities should educate about children's rights, especially in the B Ed. programs" (OISE Teacher Candidate)
"Being able to treat students with respect for their own stories is essential for my teaching philosophy." (University of British Columbia Teacher Candidate)
"The workshop is very informative and provides lots of great resources. I also like how the Global Classroom Manager runs the discussions and models great teaching practices." (University of British Columbia Teacher Candidate)
"I believe that many teachers use certain concepts from children's rights education but without knowing and with few resources. This workshop has made us more conscious and peaked our curiosity. Furthermore, the subject is very pertinent and I'm anxious to create activities and to apply these rights on a daily basis." (Québec University in Montréal – UQÀM – Teacher Candidate)
"Every teacher should attend this workshop. I think it is important for every child to know their rights. I now feel like teaching this to them." (Sherbrooke University Teacher Candidate)
This partnership has served to inspire five additional universities to become interested in collaborating with us. We are always interested in connecting with other Faculties of Education, so feel free to contact us at globalclassroom@unicef.ca
