To add to your knowledge of Global Citizenship this sprint directs you to read and review a paper by Vanessa Andreotti titled soft versus critical global citizenship education (linked below). Vanessa Andreotti is a researcher and advocate for Global Citizen Education (GCE), aligned with SDG 4 and target 4.7.1. Decolonisation, equality and global justice are also key research themes. Along with the paper assigned here you are encouraged to explore this research area yourself.
Read: Soft versus Critical Global Citizenship Education
<undefined>Andreotti (2006), Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review</undefined>
- Note, it may be easier to download the PDF file from the link above for proper formatting
- Whilst reading consider the following questions?
- Has this paper changed how you view and conceptualise the terms of sustainability and global citizenship?
- Do you feel your current motivations for sustainable action are soft or critical? Has this changed your mind?
- Consider how your earlier pledge towards an SDG fits either of these descriptions.
- How do you feel you can transition towards a more critical approach to sustainability?
- Do you feel the conclusions of the paper are valid? Does it raise any points you disagree with?
This paper also makes a point that was brought up previously in the case study of applying SDG14 Life Under Water in Madagascar. Activism and advocacy is good but we must ensure all efforts in sustainability are culturally sensitive, decolonised and go beyond activism for activism’s sake. We should not just aim to try and cure the symptoms of an unsustainable world we need to get to the root causes of inequality. These may often lie in uncomfortable topics such as colonialism or prejudices like racism and sexism but it is vital they are discussed and addressed to reach our goal of a sustainable globe.
There is a wealth of literature on this topic and you are encouraged to review it and explore it, the reference list for the paper above is a good place to start. You can also look for papers that cite this one through Google Scholar. You should aim to explore works from authors from different backgrounds as much as possible. In general this is a good tip to keep in mind during your studies!