Unit 1: Diversity
In this unit, we will explore together the concept of diversity, what it means in practice, how it connects to the so-called global education approach, identity, culture and our own self-reflection about the world around us, which is strongly connected to our inner-diversity. Chapter 1 will focus on identity and invite us into exploring our own identity and of those around us. Chapter 2 will build on identity background with explaining more precisely diversity. In chapter 3 we will go one more step further into tackling intercultural dialogue and concept of culture.
In this unit I will learn about:
- identity and respect and acceptance towards diverse identities.
- diversity and its interconnectedness with self-reflection and global education.
- Culture and intercultural dialogue.
Introduction into the topic:
The world we live in is many winters old. Most of us, reading this module, live in the so called ´West´, most likely in Europe. European Union´s fundamental values are respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law. This are words, on the other hand actions of many politicians, events, especially in the recent wave of migrations, do not stand up to this words. Fatalities of migrants are happening in the Mediterranean Sea, reaching for Europe (3116 alone in year 2017!). Rise of extreme, xenophobic right wing political parties in many parts of Europe, which openly challenge human rights. Fences around our countries. As educators, we have an even more important role to enable spaces for learning in which learners will develop a sense of open-mindedness, empathy, understanding and responsibility for what is going on in the world. And this sense starts nonetheless with allowing and respecting diversity.