Saturday, February 15, 2014
Update
I am returning to the program after a two year break! A lot has changed, but my passion for social justice issues is unwavering! I continue to teach, this year I am teaching grade 8. I also run a program at my school called Me to We. Taking from the Free the Children initiative, this program encourages young people to change the world by designing awareness campaigns, fundraising and studying the world of service. More recently I have been involved in helping students at the school set up their own student run WE club that promotes student activism. I have been able to transfer a great deal of my learning from the ICD courses into my classroom. Since my last blog post I have also completed the Certificate in Child and Youth Human Rights and currently working on my Masters in Education.
Monday, January 11, 2010
My name is Shashi Shergill, welcome to my journey of exploration into international community development.
About me
I teach grade 9 humanities at a Charter school in Calgary. I grew up in Coventry, England and moved to Canada seven years ago. When I am not teaching I am a busy mother. I have three children aged 13, 11 and 5.
Alongside teaching humanities I also teach a complimentary course in global education. It has been my work in global education that has given me the inspiration to embark upon this course. I have always been a keen advocate of economic, political and social justice issues. I have come into teaching later in life. My first career was in policy development working for social services. I have always been motivated by the desire to be in a role/career where I could give back or make a difference. Hence I have always worked in the public sector, in my previous position I spent a great deal of my time working alongside non profit organisations engaging in capacity building work. I learnt from very early on that helping or responding to those in need was not exclusively about monetary donations or aid, rather it was in capacity or asset building. A concept that I hope to explore further through my journey.
International community development gives voice to those who for different reasons or circumstances become marginalised in society. As educators we have an important role in promoting and raising awareness of global and social responsibility amongst young people, so that they will take active steps in their lives to bring about a better world. Globalisation and the technological revolution provides an exciting opportunity to turn our thoughts and ideas into practical realities.
In addition to teaching I also work with two organisations in a voluntary capacity. I am global education advisor for GEOEC (Global Environmental and Outdoor Education Council) a specialist council of the Alberta Teachers Association. My role is to help the council in promoting quality professional development for teachers in the area of global education. Bridges is another organisation that I am involved in. I am working with them as a learning coach for their Unveiling Youth Potential Program. Please check out their website for more information about this work. I have included it as one of my top three sites.
I am excited at the possibility of inspiring change amongst young people. My goals for this course are to formalise my learning in international community development in order to continue to promote change amongst the individuals and agencies that I work with.
My top links
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) www.acdi-cida.gc.ca
This is a great website that provides an overview of international development work. It is full of links to resources, events, activities and general information on this topic. A great starting point!
International Association for Community Development (IACD) www.iacdglobal.org.
A great organisation that is currently promoting 'Asset based community development' and inquiring into the effectiveness of community development by focusing on best practice.
Bridges www.canadabridges.com
This is an example of international community development in action. This organisation focuses on work in Yemen. They have forged a partnership between Canada and the Yemen government through capacity building and leadership training in the areas of health care, politics, education, journalism and law.
About me
I teach grade 9 humanities at a Charter school in Calgary. I grew up in Coventry, England and moved to Canada seven years ago. When I am not teaching I am a busy mother. I have three children aged 13, 11 and 5.
Alongside teaching humanities I also teach a complimentary course in global education. It has been my work in global education that has given me the inspiration to embark upon this course. I have always been a keen advocate of economic, political and social justice issues. I have come into teaching later in life. My first career was in policy development working for social services. I have always been motivated by the desire to be in a role/career where I could give back or make a difference. Hence I have always worked in the public sector, in my previous position I spent a great deal of my time working alongside non profit organisations engaging in capacity building work. I learnt from very early on that helping or responding to those in need was not exclusively about monetary donations or aid, rather it was in capacity or asset building. A concept that I hope to explore further through my journey.
International community development gives voice to those who for different reasons or circumstances become marginalised in society. As educators we have an important role in promoting and raising awareness of global and social responsibility amongst young people, so that they will take active steps in their lives to bring about a better world. Globalisation and the technological revolution provides an exciting opportunity to turn our thoughts and ideas into practical realities.
In addition to teaching I also work with two organisations in a voluntary capacity. I am global education advisor for GEOEC (Global Environmental and Outdoor Education Council) a specialist council of the Alberta Teachers Association. My role is to help the council in promoting quality professional development for teachers in the area of global education. Bridges is another organisation that I am involved in. I am working with them as a learning coach for their Unveiling Youth Potential Program. Please check out their website for more information about this work. I have included it as one of my top three sites.
I am excited at the possibility of inspiring change amongst young people. My goals for this course are to formalise my learning in international community development in order to continue to promote change amongst the individuals and agencies that I work with.
My top links
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) www.acdi-cida.gc.ca
This is a great website that provides an overview of international development work. It is full of links to resources, events, activities and general information on this topic. A great starting point!
International Association for Community Development (IACD) www.iacdglobal.org.
A great organisation that is currently promoting 'Asset based community development' and inquiring into the effectiveness of community development by focusing on best practice.
Bridges www.canadabridges.com
This is an example of international community development in action. This organisation focuses on work in Yemen. They have forged a partnership between Canada and the Yemen government through capacity building and leadership training in the areas of health care, politics, education, journalism and law.
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