HOW DOES GLOBAL VILLAGE EDUCATION WORK?
Freedom in Creation (FIC) solicits information from educators with the intention of working with teachers to fashion age-appropriate curriculum that enhances one’s sense of the global village. Inviting interdisciplinary collaboration, FIC works to consider common educational threads that can enliven the classroom by connecting the theoretical with the practical. FIC also enables participating schools to join hands and experience the reciprocal gift of learning through dialogue and service. This, we believe, will enable us all greater discernment in acting responsibly towards/with other members of the human family (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Preamble).
Elementary School–Lorien Wood School, Vienna, VA.
FIC worked with 4th grade teacher Caitlin Staples of Lorien Wood School, Vienna, Va, to determine an age-appropriate lecture with which to compliment a unit on Africa and “Africa Day.” Faculty, parents, and students cooked African food, wore African dress, and FIC Founder Andrew E. Briggs lectured about relationships in Uganda through FIC. A small art exhibition, “The Story of Freedom,” was showed and questions entertained.
Middle School: The Haverford School for Boys, Haverford, PA.
Working with Haverford Middle School art teacher Nathan Pankratz, FIC facilitated “Global Village Education” for the boys of Haverford School. This extensive collaboration included two lectures designed to teach the Haverford boys about social responsibilty and the “Global Village,” an art exhibition of the FIC kids, a field study opportunity for Pankratz (funded by Haverford), a collaborative art project between the boys of Haverford and the FIC kids, and a video documentary produced by Pankratz. Haverford has undertaken the FIC “water4freedom” fundraising initiative aimed at sponsoring water projects for war-affected communities in Northern Uganda. When ample funds are raised and projects completed, FIC staff will enrich the academic and service-learning sector with a demonstration of the significance of each project.
Click here to watch Haverford video
High School: Hathaway Brown School for Girls, Shaker Heights, OH
Working with Hathaway Brown School (HB) Director of Global Studies Joe Vogel, FIC facilitated “Global Village Education” at the high school level for the HB community. The collaboration included an art exhibition, assembly addresses, classroom lectures, FIC video showings, and collaborative art projects initiated by HB girls to be completed by FIC artists.
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Working with Dr. Al Fuertes, FIC Founder Andrew E. Briggs addressed upper-level classes including “Conflict, Trauma, and Healing” and “Forgiveness and Reconciliation In Divided Communities.” The collaboration included a lecture entitled “Empowerment In War-affected Northern Uganda: A Community-Based Approach,” a documentary film showing, a mini art exhibition, and opportunities for discussion and interaction with students.
University of Alabama,Tuscaloosa, AL
Working with the Department of New College and the Africa-centered student group Apwonjo, FIC facilitated “Global Village Education” with lectures in such classes as entrepeneurship, music and justice, and global studies. The collaboration included an art exhibition, showing of FIC films, a keynote address, a radio presentation, and inter-departmental dialogue about long-term academic relationships and student-led fundraising initiatives.
University of Virginia: Institute for Shipboard Education, Semester at Sea
An alumni of the Semester at Sea (SAS) Program, FIC Founder Andrew E. Briggs was invited to share as a keynote speaker at the 2009 SAS Alumni voyage. The collaboration included an art exhibition, FIC film showings, and time for interaction and discussion.
Inter-Organizational: Center for Strategic International Studies, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars
With the inauguration of the 2009 “Year of Water” at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, FIC was invited to present in partnership with the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) and the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars. The event included an FIC art exhibition, photographic exhibition, musical performances by FIC supporting artist Andy Zipf, and addresses from FIC Founder Andrew E. Briggs and Millenium Water Alliance Chair Mark Winter.
