Sini
Hi. How are you?
David
Hi, Sini. I’m doing well. What about you?
Sini
Well, I’m doing well. Just wondering how global a citizen you feel like today?
David
Well, actually more global than ever before. I mean, especially in the light of the current global events. Let’s talk about. It’s a complicated concept, isn’t it?
Sini
Well, that’s true. And one integral part of it is the personal commitment to action toward a more sustainable future. And this means being aware of the inevitable interconnectedness of the human community, whether we know it or not, whether we like it or not. That actually means taking this into account with every action we take as human beings in a global community. And in fact, it’s not really a concept at all. Oh. But more like an attitude or a desire to act toward the sustainable, fair and inclusive world.
David
Exactly. And hope for a better world as well, I think. And I know it’s easier said than done, but one has to stay hopeful no matter what and convey this feeling of hope. I think in our day-to-day life within our different circles, personal or professional. And more importantly, through our actions.
Sini
Yes. And in that respect. Uh, Paulo Freire’s notion of hope is illuminating. He. There is hope, however timid on the street corners. A hope in each and every one of us. I think that’s really beautifully said.
David
It is. It is. And we were actually doing something about it right now in Haaga-Helia with our global partners, global partners in an Erasmus plus Ulysseus project called BeGlobal. And in this project we use gamification, Learning Design Co creation as methods for constructing an international community. We are also creating a global network of factors both in Europe and Latin America for fostering global competence, which is another very important concept, if you will.
Sini
Yeah, I I think this community that we are building now is really important in these kinds of. Intends to make the world a better place for everyone. And one of the core references to these global competencies are the SDGs. The 17 Sustainability Development Goals stated in the UNESCO Agenda 2030 do you have a favorite? Can you name one that you really like?
David
That’s a good. Let me think for a bit. I think I as a trainer myself, I would go for the SDG4, which is obviously about quality education. Because it’s of course naturally close to my to my heart. And in a nutshell, it’s about ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and also about promoting lifelong learning opportunities for everyone. Quite ambitious, but as I said, very close to you know, my my heart and actually this is also what we’re doing here right now, sharing our expertise on global citizenship openly with with anyone with the world. Now how about? What is your favorite pic among those 17 sustainable sustainability development goals?
Sini
Well, I think you actually picked one of my favorites already, but one of those that I really find appealing is SDG16. That.
Speaker
Says.
Sini
That we need to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development and provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Especially the part about inclusiveness is fundamental for me, since I am training special needs teachers here at hagahelia and fighting for an inclusive education system. Here in my homeland. And I think this. Part the education that we provide as teacher trainers as well is actually one way of acting toward these kinds of inclusive. Societies or an inclusive world?
David
That’s. And and inclusion definitely because, well, no one should be left behind or excluded, and also diversity, which is a reality because we live in a global, globalised world. Anyway, and I would also add equity, which is essential, yet yet not always properly addressed, I think, and it seems to me also, that that the rest of the world can learn from Finland in the area of DEI. Other words, diversity. Which in inclusion in the field of education especially. But how to make it really happen?
Sini
Yeah. Well, that’s the question, I. And well, that’s the project about and I think maybe all of the work that we do as teacher trainers is about the same questions more or less. There is a group of global enthusiasts who have created the IGS’ to complement the SDGs. Which means that there are 23 inner development goals. That consist of five key dimensions.
David
Well, that’s. I’m not so familiar with them. So can you tell more about those five key dimensions that you just brought up?
Sini
Well, these are things that one person needs to be aware of and develop in themselves for making a sustainable world happen. And they are the five dimensions being thinking, relating, collaborating and act. Within these are 23 different detailed goals, which include many things like empathy, openness and learning, mindset, authenticity, optimism. Intercultural competence. Trust, courage, connectedness, self-awareness, creativity and presence.
David
That’s a long list.
Sini
Yes it is. Do you have a favorite from this?
David
Well. Let me think optimism. I think I think we need optimism more than ever before.
Sini
And that’s actually connected to the hope that you mentioned before. I myself like this creativity and presence. I think we need to be creative to be able to change. It needs to be something that doesn’t exist yet and then to be creative and to form a community. Takes presence, so we have to be there for each other and concentrate on the moment at hand to create a good future for everyone. Everyone So I think this in the development goals actually. Are more about our way of being in the world. Rather than collecting the right set of skills or. The knowledge that is distributed all. The world. So I think they are suggesting that we need to keep on learning together, developing our own selves and continuously trying to make our global community more accessible and better for everyone. And I think what we do as our job actually plays an integral role in all of this. What do you think?
David
Yes. Yeah. Education does make a. And and yeah, we are trying our best I think to you know bring about the change together with this community that we are part of this big global community. And we I think we also have a lot to learn from the rest of the world in, in many ways. And we have to in that sense think global, but also act local at the local level. And pedagogy. Being a teacher is one way of keeping on the age of learning and transforming as well. And in global contexts, this of course has happened within cultural connectedness in global networks, but then eventually turn into concrete actions locally, such as interacting with our teacher students. Project partners, you name it.
Sini
Yeah, I think what we can do is act now where we are and connect with the rest of the world in every possible way to create a network for, for making it happen. And I at least.
David
Uh.
Sini
Want to keep up the hope and do believe that we can make a difference?
David
So do I. So let’s be global, right?
Sini
And act local.
David
Definitely.