From the editor - Tom Wilmot

Global citizenship - the road to sustainable development

Welcome to the autumn edition of the Development in Action magazine. Our theme this issue is central to the aims of development in action. We are all global citizens, whether we want to be or not; but the question of how to be a constructive and responsible one is a complex one.

Citizenship education in British classrooms is soon going to be a key issue as the extended schools policy tries to address both social and educational challenges.

Whether fundamentalism leads to religious discrimination or vice versa, it is unquestionable that understanding and tolerance tackles both these problems. Pupils need to learn how global trade, migration and politics shape the ‘global community’. They need to learn how nations can develop their financial, social and environmental stability, whilst maintaining equality. They must be taught the history of religion, the reasons for conflicts, and the way tolerance and communication can achieve peace.

Is this possible? Well, it is a task that seems almost as daunting to educators as the task of achieving sustainable development seems to those working directly in this field.

In this issue, DiA authors examine global citizenship from a variety of perspectives. Mandarin Bennett discusses how integration in the UK can only be achieved through a better understanding of our individual and collective identities. Ruth Bergen discusses ways in which we could reconsider our attitudes to our individual roles as global citizens. Matt describes the admirable ongoing work of PhotoVoice, an innovative photojournalism organisation, which enables those that have traditionally been the subject of documentary photography to become its creator. In so doing, they give people some control over how they are perceived by the rest of the world, as well as a new skill which can enhance their lives.

Mo Ford describes the challenges facing women in India and considers the role of women as global citizens in the UK. Charlotte Alfred looks at religion; its historic role in peace and conflict and its contemporary calling to adapt to and foster a sustainable global society.

Also in this issue, we proudly present our first interview from our ‘Voices of India’ project. In this project we hope to provide a personal insight into the lives of some of the innumerable people who work in development, but whose work is seldom widely acknowledged, and is often overshadowed by high level politics or dramatic relief work. Kimberly Gilmour interviews Dr Rupshri Baxi, who is the Head of the Health Unit at Seva Mandir, one of DiA’s partner organisations in Rajasthan, Northern India.

It is with great sadness that we report the recent death of a long standing friend of Development in Action. Volunteers who knew him well, describe the life of Tiger; a truly exceptional man who dedicated his life to empowering the most disadvantaged members of society.

I welcome your feedback to this edition. If you would like to receive regular editions of Development in Action, please subscribe via our website at www.developmentinaction.org

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