All participants will add their ideas, inspired by virtual events held around the world by the local organizers of each city. The one with the most ideas will receive the award for the most creative city.
One of the great problems facing humanity during this difficult period, COVID-19 and a lockdown of over 2 months was the wellbeing of children and young people. Parents, authorities, teachers, adults faced an unprecedented problem in the modern era, children and young people had to stay locked in the house, take online lessons, no physical activities, no walks with friends, no hanging out with friends. The first weeks passed more easily but after that, depression occurred and domestic abuse increased and the teachers did not know how to help the children.
Creating a curriculum that includes personal development lessons and learning to overcome the problems that arise in everyday life is imperative. But to change the society we need someone to teach society to change, and these can be school’s teachers.
Global education systems: teachers, children and young people.
The education system will undergo an imminent change in the coming years. The way children and young people learn now will change radically! Digitisation is beginning to become relevant (as we saw during the pandemic) and will be part of the education system, but in addition to the digitisation of education, the curriculum will also need to be updated. Mental health problems are beginning to be accepted in society, with children and young people being more prone to mental health than to a toothache. Unfortunately, teachers are not able to help them cope with these problems.
Teachers need to teach children and young people life skills, empathy and emotional understanding, personal development and general well-being, communication and collaboration that are essential for them to be successful in life. Also, informed decision-making, creative problem solving, adaptability and stress resistance can be things that need to be introduced into modern education systems. Teachers need to educate and inspire their students and sometimes give them what their parents don't give them. For all these things, the role of a teacher must be redefined! Governments need to change their curriculum and introduce new subjects. Rethinking the education system must become a priority for governments.
Perhaps this pandemic can be an opportunity to remind governments of the skills those children and young people need in their daily lives, and that these skills must become a priority for all education systems.
The main resource is the New Curriculum for Wales, which wants an innovative change in education to which are added people with research experience such as Professor Graham Donaldson who has produced a "Success Futures" report which is the basis of the new curriculum. The Welsh Government, the four regional education consortia in Wales, the 22 local education authorities in Wales, schools, teachers, emotional wellbeing and mental health specialists, and psychologists will contribute to the implementation of my idea.
I and my team will work closely with Cardiff Commitment and Professor Graham Donaldson who has already engaged with our youth council and we will contact the Welsh Joint Education Committee directly.
Given the current lockdown situation, the first meetings will be organized virtually through ZOOM or TEAM platforms.
I will be working closely with Cardiff Youth Council, Cardiff Council, Cardiff Commitment, Child-Friendly City - Cardiff (UNICEF UK), and T4CYPCymru. We have the key contacts needed to implement this project.
Cardiff Youth Council - the youth and student organization in Cardiff.
Cardiff Council is the governing body of Cardiff, the capital of Wales that could lobby for support.
Cardiff Commitment - brings together the public and private sectors to work in a partnership that connects young people to the wide range of opportunities available in the world of work.
Cardiff Child-Friendly City (UNICEF UK) - is committed to improving the lives of children in Cardiff by realising their rights, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Together for children and young people -T4CYPCymru - Improving wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people in Wales
My proposal addresses rethinking the educational system and focuses on implementing in schools an educational framework that develops real-life problem-solving skills, wellbeing, endurance, creativity, respect for others, practical learning experiences which are so necessary for children and young people.
What makes it special is that most education systems do not have a curriculum that takes into account the real-life problems of students; they are not updated to current needs and requirements. Children want schools and their partners to inspire them, to help them make their dreams come true. They need to be taught to take risks and that it is OK to fail sometimes. Many young people ponder every day and reach these inevitable questions. ''What is your life plan? What if you wake up tomorrow and have no jobs? '' They need to be prepared, not to be depressed, and to know what they have to do!
My idea brings solutions and explanations to help its implementation in the educational system.
Teaching staff should be specifically trained to a national standard to deliver citizenship education. Young people should be taught the basics of democracy and their rights and roles in society. They should get RSE from either teacher qualified in this specific field or health professionals. The curriculum should aim to promote equality, diversity, and an awareness and understanding of special educational needs.
The curriculum should encourage children and young people to make a positive difference within their communities through volunteering. There needs to be a compulsory financial education within the curriculum. This should give young people practical advice on managing their money and this will help children and young people prepare for adult life. There needs to be a programme within the curriculum for young people to learn about how they can live sustainably and adapt their lifestyle in order to conserve natural resources and look after the planet.
Cardiff,Wales
Knowledge means:
Technological means:
