Pathway Partners in Action

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KWIC leads the way with secondary classes

This past school year, the Pathway Project has worked with many wonderful partner organizations to bring unique and memorable experiences to children and youth.  The Kawartha World Issues Centre (KWIC) has provided the first workshops for secondary students, based on Landmark 29:  “Explore a local issue of social justice and develop a plan to raise public awareness or motivate public involvement.”

KWIC works from the Trent University campus and Sadlier House, fostering equitable and sustainable communities by expanding our understanding of the world and connecting people with local initiatives that reflect global issues – focussed on environmental and social justice issues.

KWIC staff and volunteers put their years of experience into creating a 4-part workshop series for secondary students, exploring the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).  Adopted in 2015, with a global challenge to tackle them by 2030, the 17 interlinked goals address issues of universal concern, including ending poverty and hunger, tackling climate change, and promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies.

Workshop 1:  Introduction to the UN SDGs (exploring the 17 goals through global, national, and local lenses; creating a social media challenge)

Workshop 2:  Localizing the SDGs (examples of local action; establishing personal priorities; actions to help themselves and others)

Workshop 3:  Youth as Agents of Change (examples of youth having an impact on issues of peace, justice, gender equality, and climate change; what young people are doing locally and how to get involved)

Workshop 4:  Leaving No-One Behind (how discrimination, inequalities, and other root causes can create alienation and inaction; local examples; what can be done)

 

During the winter and spring, KWIC worked with more than 600 students to raise their awareness of the SDGs, hear their voices, and develop personal priorities and plans of action.  In spite of an on-line setting necessitated by the Covid pandemic, students were involved through the whole process – responding through the ‘chat’ function, creating group poems, completing polls and playing interactive games with the help of online platforms, such as Kahoot and Slido.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.  Students enjoyed the clear explanations and interactive components.  Many were unaware of the SDGs and their importance, and enjoyed the opportunity to learn about them and to get involved locally.  Students were from a wide range of secondary classes, including Environmental Science, Geography, Drama, Food and Nutrition, Contemporary Voices of First Nations, and English.  We’re grateful to these secondary teachers for involving their classes in the workshops.

Our thanks to KWIC for providing this exceptional opportunity for local youth, and to the skilled and committed youth workshop facilitators who guided the process.

Kawartha World Issues Centre (KWIC) connects people to global issues and local initiatives that can change how we understand the world and foster equitable and sustainable communities. We make positive change through three key program areas:  Community Education, Youth & In School Programs and Umbrella Support for small and emerging community projects.

KWIC creates a local culture of global citizenship prioritizing inclusive inter-generational spaces that amplify diverse voices and knowledge systems through educational workshops, programs and events. KWIC is a grassroots registered charity led by a small, dedicated staff and amazing volunteers working in collaboration with talented community partners. You can visit us on our website at  kwic.info for more information and opportunities to get involved, or to book a workshop!”