LEARNING FOR INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

PRAVAT KUMAR SAHOO

P.G StudentDepartment of Education

Ravenshaw university, Cuttack

Background :- The world has already tasted the consequence of mistrust and

misunderstanding among countries in two World wars in the past, Hence all the world firmly realize the need and importance of better understanding and friendship in all the nation of the world.

Education for International Understanding’ was firstly advocated by UNESCO in 1974. It includes the concept of Peace Education, understanding of each country, Human-Rights education, and understanding of UN. Its purpose is not only about the education of understanding of other countries and its culture but also to broaden people’s international scope and cultivate their sense of unity as global citizen, world interdependency, and awareness toward peace/human-rights/environment.

The International Organizations like UNO and UNESCO are doing their best to promote brotherhood, peaceful Co-existence among the people of the Globe.

Concept of International Understanding Learning to live in a World Community.’ (world citizenship).

Living in harmony in the global village.

“International Understanding is a feeling that the individual is not only a member of his State, but a member of the World".

(Oliver Goldsmith) "International Understanding is the ability to observe critically and objectively and

appraise the conduct of man everywhere to each other, irrespective of the nationality of culture to which they may belong. To do this one must be able to detach oneself from one's own particular cultural and national prejudices and to observe men of all nationalities, cultures and races as equally important varieties of human being inhabiting this earth.“

(Dr. Walter H.C. Lewis)

Respect to each other's Culture:National arrogance and traditional bias or prejudice against any country or countries go against the spirit of internationalism. We have to subordinate national pride to international feeling.Love to humanity:"Live and let others to live“ as the fundamental principle of peaceful co-existence.To live together in peace:Internationalism inspires the people of the world to live together in peace with one another as good neighbors.

Why emphasize International understanding? People of different countries have to work/live together for

temporarily or permanently which generates suspicion & distrust and leads to violence of serious type.

Competition among countries for acquiring resources (material & human) without International Understanding such a competition can lead to conflicts & wars (Gold, Diamond & Minerals in Africa, Oil in Middle East)

Securing everlasting peace.

Progress of human civilization.

Problem of one country poses problem to others.

All countries have unique dimensions, their indigenous knowledgeto offer to world which may benefit people of the globe.

Common global issues such as global warming, poverty & malnutrition, terrorism, unemployment, economic crisis, proliferation of nuclear armaments,

International Understanding will lead us to a great pluralistic culture & help us realise ideal of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam.’

The component for promoting international Relationship

Globalization of Education:- Globalization not only connects individuals, groups and countries but also brings with it a variety of complicated relations.

Peace Education:- It aims to cultivate the knowledge, skill and activities needed to achieve and sustain a global culture of peace.

Human Right Education:- Human right education can be defined as education, training and information aimed at building a universal culture of human rights. Equality and non-discrimination is the principles of human right education.

International organizations:- international organizations are fundamentally designed to promote international cooperation when faced with problems difficult to solve by a nation alone, international cooperation is essential for existence. (IMF, BRICS, World Bank, WTO, SAARC, UN, UNESCO)

How we create the feeling of international understanding in the mind of learners?Curricular subjects:• Language• Science• History • Geography• Civics

Curricular activities:- Celebrating birth anniversaries Celebrating international week Celebrating days of international importance Organizing and running UN societies Organizing pen friend's club Arranging exhibitions Dramatic representation School assembly International games News of other countries.

Role of teachers:-

Broad outlook.

To understand man as man.

Emphasizing peace.

Cultivate right value.

Wedding out the idea of violence and war.

“The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence”

(Rabindranath Tagore)

THANK YOU…..