From Dhaka to Dundee
Learning from the past, acting for the future
Picture courtesy of Traidcraft
Dundee is known for its jute industry which depended for its raw materials on exports from India and Bangladesh. These historical links are used in our "From Dhaka to Dundee" project to explore issues of interdependence and social justice today.
Learning about Dundee's past can help shape attitudes to development in other parts of the world today, and the University of Dundee is tracking the impact this work is having on pupils. Teachers have incorporated this global citizenship topic into the Curriculum for Excellence. There are excellent classroom activities featured in the project pack.
Background
This project began with an idea of an Open University student, originally from Bangladesh, who was living and working in Dundee. It was formulated through a pilot Continuing Professional Development programme held at Dundee's Verdant Works (an old jute mill) in March 2007. The project plan attracted funding from the Department for International Development with the One World Centre managing it.
Aim of the project
To increase knowledge and understanding among teachers and pupils in Dundee of the major economic and social issues facing Bangladesh, and to empower action for change.
Objectives:
- To use the historical links of the jute trade between Dundee and Bangladesh as a focus for exploring issues of social justice, particularly as regards the clothing trade and climate change
- To develop and deliver two-part CPD for teachers around the above themes
- To develop thematic approaches and learning intentions based on teachers’ learning (e.g. to extend the topics ‘Victorian Society in Scotland’, ‘India’ and ‘Global Citizen – A Fair World’) in order to increase young people’s understanding of the interdependence between Dundee and Bangladesh.
- To produce case studies of a selection of schools’ work on this project, with examples of how it has enhanced learning and teaching about global issues and attitudes to development. Both the above would be made available to schools outwith Dundee through the Verdant Works museum.
- To explore a possible educational partnership between some Dundee schools and some in Bangladesh or India.
Expected results
- A working group of teachers experienced in how global issues link to the new curriculum and educational agendas
- A programme of two-part CPD sessions held with Dundee teachers
- Thematic approaches identified to extend teaching around the topical issues of the clothing trade and climate change
- Increased global citizenship activities in schools around fair trade/trade justice and climate change
- Case studies of how learning about Dundee’s past has changed attitudes to development in other parts of the world today
Learning outcomes
- Increased knowledge and understanding among teachers and pupils of the causes of poverty in Victorian Britain and large parts of the world today, specifically Bangladesh and India, and how these can be tackled
- Increased knowledge and understanding among teachers and pupils of the parallels between the textile industry today in Bangladesh and the jute industry in Dundee in Victorian times
- Increased knowledge and understanding among teachers and pupils of how poverty and other global issues, such as climate change, are interlinked
- Key skills relevant to the new curriculum developed such as critical thinking, ability to argue effectively and challenge injustice
- Increased confidence among teachers and pupils to discuss global issues
- Increased confidence among teachers and pupils that individual action can lead to positive global change
- More teachers seeing the relevance of global citizenship in the curriculum, and seeking development education resources and support.
Launch
The project ran from April 2008 - March 2011 and its completion was marked by a launch on Thursday 18th November, Verdant Works Museum, Dundee.
It focused on the Curriculum for Excellence and Global Citizenship with a TEACHING PACK covering all the material produced through the 'Dhaka to Dundee' project.
The session was aimed at teachers of Primary 6 and 7 and highlighted the work done by Dundee teachers in conjunction with the One World Centre, Verdant Works Museum and the University of Dundee.
A "Spider diagram" is available (PDF format).
For further information and/or an informal discussion (without commitment!) please contact Sally Romilly on 01382 454603 or email sally@oneworldcentredundee.org.uk
