Articles

In an era where our planet’s sustainability and its inhabitants’ well-being are at the forefront of global conversations, the importance of integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into educational curriculums cannot be overstated. The SDGs, established by the United Nations in 2015, are the world’s ‘to-do’ list, a universal call to action to ensure that […]

In our ever-changing global landscape, the urgency for educators to embrace and prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is paramount. Far beyond mere classroom discussion topics, DEI stands as a critical pillar for forging a fairer and more empathetic world. The “Be The Change” (BTC) program, innovatively crafted for the youth, stands at the forefront

Have you ever heard of a tree that is made of chainsaws? Quite ironic, isn’t it? Well, such a thing actually exists in Cambodia! Deforestation has been a major global environmental issue for several decades, negatively affecting not only nature, but us humans as well. According to newsmongabay.com, an estimated 6.7 million acres of forest

Orenda Learning is an impact driven social enterprise that guides young people, educators and community in best practice service. We dream of ‘a flourishing global community built on foundation of love; where deep connection, compassionate action and sustainable living are grounded in everyday life’. Orenda Learning was founded in 2018 by Alice Whitehead, an educator

Partnership is not a posture but a process – a continuous process that grows stronger each year as we devote ourselves to common tasks. (John F. Kennedy) Have you ever tried to accomplish something alone and lost drive, motivation or energy? Have you ever lacked courage and wished for reassurance? Have you ever needed to

Service is, for me, not an opportunity to “rescue” or to “bring others up”. It is a path of joy and growth, hopefully for everyone involved. Not as givers and receivers but as friends, partners, collaborators and fellow travellers “walking each other home”, as Ram Dass so aptly stated. I was given another opportunity to

Service Programs — Transformative or Detrimental? Service is an integral part of the learning journey of many students globally, with a large number of schools including service learning as part of their curriculum. When facilitated well, service programs can be transformative for students and their communities, leading to deep learning and positive change. When implemented

The global situation remains a challenge for service programs, with many schools around the world now facing additional months of online delivery. Schools in face to face learning have also found themselves needing to assess the service experiences undertaken by their students, and make adjustments that have replaced in person action with different ways to serve.

The United Nations states that the COVID-19 pandemic is “an ‘unprecedented wake-up call’ for all inhabitants of Mother Earth” (UN News, 2020). We are acutely aware that the virus has affected nearly every part of life on this planet. Charitable organisations such as not for profits and non government organisations are no exception and many

In these times of separation, remaining connected to each other and in service to our communities is more important than ever. As students around the world move into the space of online education how can we ensure they stay engaged in ‘service’, continuing both their learning and active global citizenship? Different ways to serve Whilst