CGS Centre for Global Citizenship In 2022, Global Citizenship continued to grow, incorporated into the curriculum and co-curricular and experiential opportunities for students and the broader community. A globally focused curriculum is evident throughout the School, from text choices and issues explored in English to understanding our universe in Science, considering the lived environment in Geography, reviewing sustainable development in Economics and Business Studies, and exploring the role of the UN in Global studies. The Centre for Global Citizenship continues to offer opportunities for students to continue their global citizenship education beyond the classroom, with diverse experiences and learning opportunities. Students attended the National Press Club, an Australian Institution bringing world leaders and innovative thinkers to Canberra. In this unique forum, student leaders met with the founder of OzHarvest, Ms Ronni Kahn and invited her to speak to the student body. Senior Global Politics students heard the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis and discussed the imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine and the impact on his nation and others. Biology students had the opportunity to ask questions of Dr Fiona Wood, Australia’s world-leading burns specialist. Students from Years 10 and 11 Aboriginal Studies heard Rachel Perkins and Professor Henry Reynolds discuss Ms Perkins’ three-part documentary, ‘The Australian Wars’. Furthering our engagement with current issues and ideas, Economics students attended the ABC’s Budget Q&A at ANU, and Insight restarted with a Q&A session with former school Captain and Mental Health researcher Mr Brad Carron-Arthur. The Insight series hosted a special performance by John Bell and the Australian Haydn Ensemble, followed by masterclasses for Music students with the Ensemble and an open forum with John Bell for Drama and English students hosted by the School’s Drama Captain. The MBAIS occurred online with presentations by staff and students to an international audience over two days and listening to experts and debate on the issue of wellbeing in the world today. A student-led international Accord was developed and signed by the end of the symposium. A community mentoring programme was successfully trialled with Year 12 IB students attending a primary school in Coombs to assist the Year 6 students in their reflection process and participate in a panel. The Sustainability club continued to consolidate its successes, raising awareness of Environmental issues and working on student-led projects. The recycling project continues, promoting recycling for staff and students and collecting valuable data on the situation at CGS. The CGS Speakers’ Club was launched after a collaboration with the Parents and Friends, which saw the Coach for TEDx Canberra deliver a masterclass to students. Year 11 CAS students ran a Model UN for students to debate current issues and understand how international cooperation can and does work. Students continue to engage in external opportunities such as the Evatt Competition – a model UN competition, with two Year 9 CGS students winning the ACT competition and progressing to finals in South Australia later this year. Looking ahead, the Centre for Global Citizenship has started to develop additional co-curricular opportunities for students, including expanding the Speakers’ Club, exploring partnerships with TEDx Canberra, reinvigorating Mock Trials and Mooting competitions, which closed since the pandemic started, and working with the ANU’s Coral Bell Centre to present the Senior Schools Global Challenge in Term 1, 2023.
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