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Pathway to Global Success » Global Literacy

Global Literacy

According to the Asia Society based in New York City, to work, produce, and participate in a global society, young people need:

  • Knowledge of other world regions, cultures, and global/international issues
  • Skills in communicating and collaborating in cross-cultural environments and in languages other than English, and in using information from different sources around the world, and
  • Values of respect and concern for other cultures, peoples, and places.

Global literacy involves learning about other world regions through arts and culture, language, economics, geography, mathematics, and science. It can be interwoven through a variety of projects and activities, including performances, festivals, celebrations, sports, games, and food, as well as various approaches to learning such as themes, simulations, leadership training, peer education and mentorship, apprenticeships, and authentic experiences via travel and technology. Global literacy is not a separate subject, but rather a perspective that informs and modernizes every academic subject and area of cognitive and social development.

Young people who are globally literate have attained a range of competencies that enable them to connect, collaborate, and compete with peers around the world. For example, they:

  • Acquire essential global knowledge and understanding. Young people can examine and understand world regions, current events, and global issues, recognizing how international systems are interconnected and interdependent. They understand the global dimensions of academic subjects, including literacy, science, and math.
  • See the world from multiple perspectives. They analyze and evaluate global and local issues from different points of view, thinking creatively and critically about the complex interconnections between global issues and individual realities.
  • Communicate across cultures and boundaries. They participate effectively in diverse cultural situations, and use language, technology, and collaboration skills to access information about and from the world and communicate effectively.
  • Take responsibility for their own learning and for the planet. They learn about and engage with critical global issues, making ethical decisions and responsible choices that contribute to the development of a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.