Promoting a Global Dimension in Education

The Yorkshire and Humber Global Schools Association owes its existence to a national initiative of the Department for International Development (DFID. Through the programme known as ‘Enabling Effective Support’ (EES) the department began for the first time in 2003 to fund regional and country activities across the UK to support the global dimension in education. For the Yorkshire and Humber region our response was to set up the YHGSA.

Prior to the establishment of the organisation in 2003 there was a period of consultation with Local Authorities, schools, Development Education Centres and many other organisations with an interest in this field. The comments and views of those who attended a series of consultative forums were vital in planning the first phase for the new organisation (2003 – 2007).

In late 2006 DFID offered the YHGSA alongside some other regions the opportunity to extend the strategy for a further 5 years. The YHGSA embarked on a consultation process and submitted a new plan in February 2007. This was accepted by DFID and a new round of activities began in September 2007.

There are three Working Groups for the provision of services in the region:

Resources and Communications

Curriculum and CPD

North South Linking

In addition the YHGSA is working with a number of Local Authorities to promote global education through Advanced Skills Teachers, Lead Professionals or other dedicated posts. We also have individual projects with the Fair Trade Foundation, Museums, Libraries and Archives (Yorkshire) and the Association of Science Education.