1st Station – Exploring Language

Setup:

Find yourself a quiet space in which to work. You will need access to online reference sources, a pen and paper and a copy of the Discovering a Spirit of Internationalism resource sheet either in hard copy or online.

Download worksheet here>

Introduction:

The recent pandemic has been a dramatic reminder of the inter-connectedness and interdependence of the world’s nations and the need for co-operation between peoples of all nationalities on a global scale.

With advances in communication and ease of travel, the countries and citizens of the world were closer together than ever before… depending on your viewpoint you might consider this to have been good or bad.

Are we talking about Internationalism or Globalisation? What’s the difference? Is there a difference? Does it even matter? What do you think? Write down your initial thoughts and then look those terms up using online and/ or printed sources.

If you are working in an online group discuss your findings with your classmates.

Now refer back to your notes and add to, or amend, them based on your findings.

Now let’s delve deeper into each term.

Internationalism

First we’re going to consider some more word pairings to build our understanding of the terminology we use in discussing Internationalism.

Take a look at the word pairings below, and give each pairing a short definition, explaining the difference between the two words. You might want to create contrasting word clouds around each word in the pair, to capture what other words you associate them with and illustrate what you consider the terms to mean.

Now look up a formal definition for each, using online and printed sources.

If you are working in an online group discuss your findings with your classmates.

Now refer back to your definitions or word clouds and add to, or amend, them based on your findings.

Now consider:

What contradictions and tensions did you discover in exploring these terms in pairs? Did your perception of the meaning behind any of the terms change when you considered them together? How? Which terms are more relevant to individual, personal beliefs and behaviours and which are more relevant to shared beliefs and behaviours of wider societies? Do some of these terms celebrate difference and others promote sameness? Which ones?

Globalisation

Now we’re going to delve deeper into the debate on Globalisation through browsing a selection of articles that offer different perspectives on the topic. Read at least three from the list and as you read, consider (and make notes against) these questions:

Further reading:

If you are working in an on-line group discuss your responses with your classmates.

As we have heard, those that argue globalisation is a good thing might say that trade across geographic boundaries means we can all buy goods and services more readily from around the world at lower prices, employment opportunities are created and cultural exchange brings new and exciting ideas, foods , music, trends and fashions from across the world.

Those that hold the opposite view might argue that increased transnational trade enables exploitation and domination of the worlds’ poorest nations, their people and natural resources, by those in the wealthiest nations and corporations. They may argue that as a consequence, the rich become richer, the poor become poorer; national economies are undermined and human rights are eroded; individual cultural identity is diluted, and diversity lost, as we blend ideas around the world.

Whichever position you hold, one thing that most people agree on is that a positive side-effect of Globalisation is a growing awareness and collective concern about global issues such as Climate Change, Pollution, Poverty, Unemployment, Terrorism and Conflict. We now have a better chance than ever to work together to address these issues if we can do so with informed curiosity and with mutual respect and understanding of one another’s circumstances, culture and perspectives on the world…. in other words, with a Spirit of Internationalism.

A Spirit of Internationalism

Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States of America, once famously said “There is very little that our government or any government can do to plant the seeds of international understanding in the hearts and minds of people around the world. If people by the millions can reach out their hands in friendship and communicate directly warmth, personal interest and respect, it will be a real beginning in the struggle for a peaceful world.

When we develop understanding of global issues, the interdependence of nations, and the need for international co-operation, and have a curiosity and capacity to respectfully and positively connect with people from different countries and cultures, Round Square describes this as having a Spirit of Internationalism. We also consider that along the way to developing a Spirit of Internationalism we make 12 Discoveries about our capabilities and virtues and learn to apply these in developing our International Understanding.

Locate your Discovering a Spirit of Internationalism resource sheet, place yourself in the role of a Round Square Explorer and read through the definitions of the 12 RS Discoveries in the context of Internationalism.

Circle any words or terms that you want to look up and use your dictionary or online sources to do this.

Now ask yourself these questions:

Write your own Discovery along with a definition and give it an icon.


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