intertwined, to understand globalization and its consequences, including global risks, and to have the skills and the desire to contribute to improving the world. Global citizenship education could drive curriculum reform integrating twenty-first century competencies, deeper learning and deploying pedagogies that cultivate student responsibility, imagination and creativity, such as project-based learning and design thinking. [From: Empowering Global Citizens – A World Course (2016), Fernando Reimers et al. ISBN 978-1-5335-9454-9] http://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2016-0812/education-must-focus-on-globalization Do globalization and its consequences, including global risks, give reason to pursue global citizenship education and other curriculum reforms? What can be learned from current experiences? What support should be given to teachers and schools? Are there obstacles to the introduction of global citizenship education? ARNÖ
Workshop E – CREATING A FAVOURABLE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT Moderator: Ms. Samia Hathroubi, European Director Foundation for Ethnic Understanding Round Table 17: Building a Harmonious School Community Children and youth should feel safe and secure in their school environments. A harmonious school community is crucial to successful learning. Building and maintaining such environment requires the engagement of school management, teachers, education support professionals, students, and parents, as well as a relationship with the local community. Parents are to be well informed and consulted, as well as committed to and engaged in the school's activities. What constitutes a safe and harmonious school community? What school strategies have proven successful? How can teachers involve refugee families in the education of their children? Should schools work together with civil society organisations and faith-based institutions to help them overcome language and cultural barriers? What practices have proven successful? Round Table 18: Combatting Racism and Xenophobia Racism and xenophobia, fed by populist movements, are on the rise in many countries. Although education is not the remedy for all evils, there is an undeniable educational challenge to be met. The public school is to be a safe sanctuary as well as the gateway to living and working in multicultural democracies. There is a need to find better methods to combat prejudices against minority groups, to teach children to distinguish fact from fiction and use social media responsibly. All education institutions should establish guidelines and protocols to confront (cyber) bullying and prevent racist and xenophobic behaviour in schools. What are effective educational and pedagogical tools? What are the gaps that prevent teachers from tackling bigotry, intolerance, and bullying effectively? How can parents be engaged in fighting bigotry and intolerance?
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