Thursday 4 February 2010
University adds first higher education signature to Global Learning Charter
Nottingham Trent University is showing its support for tackling global issues
Nottingham Trent University has become the first UK university to sign the Development Education Association's Global Learning Charter; showing its support for tackling issues such as climate change, intolerance and poverty, through learning.
DEA is a charity promoting education which puts learning in an international context. So far, nearly 200 organisations have signed the Charter, including the British Red Cross, the National Union of Teachers and schools from across the globe. By signing up, the university has indicated that it will fulfil the Charter commitment of 'supporting UK citizens to learn about key global issues such as international poverty and climate change' through its work.
The Charter will be formally launched at a reception at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 23 February and is being championed by Nottingham South MP, Alan Simpson. Representing the University at the event will be Dr Roy Smith, principal lecturer in International Relations from the School of Arts and Humanities.
Dr Smith said: "The work of DEA has, until now, focused on primary and secondary education and Nottingham Trent University is at the forefront of the move to broaden this work to all levels of the education sector. The Charter seeks the promotion of a 'just and sustainable world', which is a sentiment in line with the university's aim to nurture graduates who will make a positive impact on society as active global citizens."
Hetan Shah, chief executive of DEA, said: "Together we can make strides to better address global challenges like poverty, climate change and racial or religious intolerance - but we need to learn more about these issues. Nottingham Trent University is playing a crucial part in encouraging more people to learn about the big global issues so we all have the means to thrive in our increasingly globalised, interdependent world."
In addition to the signing of this Charter, the University is also in the process of validating a new MA programme in International Development with Dr Smith as the programme leader, due to recruit its first cohort in October 2010. The creation of this postgraduate programme builds on well-established links with the European Union's Directorate General for Development and the UK Department for International Development.
Dr Smith is also taking part in a Department for International Development stakeholder consultation which will review the UK government's global learning programme.
Notes to editors:
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Languages and International Studies at Nottingham Trent University
The MA International Development will be run through the Languages and International Studies department within the university's School of Arts and Humanities which has a focus on understanding contemporary social and cultural change in international contexts.
