TakingITGlobal helps pupils understand their world

As the name suggests, TakingITGlobal doesn't do things by half.

The brainchild of two Canadian teenagers, Michael Furdyk and Jennifer Corriero, the virtual hub aims to get "youth everywhere actively engaged and connected in shaping a more inclusive, peaceful and sustainable world".

Designed for people aged 13 to 30 (and their teachers), TakingITGlobal has for the past decade used information technology and the internet to promote and facilitate global citizenship through its www.tigweb.org online community.

It does this by "enabling a collaborative learning community which provides youth with access to global opportunities, cross-cultural connections and meaningful participation in decision making".

And in the next 12 months, there is a real push to raise its profile and use in the UK.

Mandeep Atwal, a former winner of Microsoft's World Wide Innovative Education Award, has been appointed by TakingITGlobal to do just that.

Mandeep is initially working with ten schools, including Calderglen High School (East Kilbride), to see how TakingITGlobal's TIGed Education Program www.tiged.org can help them to manage and improve their global citizenship programmes.

Mandeep, whose award was given for the collaborative approach to learning she was championing through Microsoft's Sharepoint, believes TakingITGlobal is an invaluable tool for schools - and ultimately wider society.

She said: "TakingITGlobal is a powerful tool. It helps pupils explore and develop their understanding of issues that matter to them, and matter to us all - things like climate change.

"Young people can respond to these matters, and TakingITGlobal helps them turn their thoughts into actions."

TakingITGlobal's achievements are no less impressive than its objectives. Since its launch in 2000, it has attracted more than 14 million users, using 12 languages, and representing every country and territory in the world.

The team has carried out thought leadership presentations at more than 500 education, technology, development, business, youth conferences and events.

What's more, it has formed partnerships across sectors with more than eight UN agencies, dozens of international civil society organisations, several top-tier technology companies (Google, Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco, HP) and leading-edge foundations across North America.

All of this has led to global recognition from the World Economic Forum and Tech Museum of Innovation.

So what is the secret to its success? TakingITGlobal believes its guiding principles (to inspire, inform, involve) are part of the reason why it's successful in enabling youth leaders:

  • Inspiration from a global community of their peers builds self-confidence
  • Information provided by tools and resources accelerates their transformation into better agents of change
  • Involvement through opportunities enables their capacity as active citizens.

What can TakingITGlobal provide?

  • Global online social network and hub for civic participation
  • Content and tools for educators to facilitate rich, interactive learning experiences
  • Outreach and collaboration tools for events, networks, campaigns, and causes
  • Research, development, and sharing of best practices on youth engagement
  • Facilitated learning experiences through workshops, webinars and e-courses.

What users say:

Helena Rijoly of Indonesia - "TakingITGlobal has helped me achieve my goals by providing me with a space to grow and expand my learning. The TIG network has opened me up to the world and to the many problems that plague it."

Code of Malawi - "Most definitely, TakingITGlobal is the perfect forum for people to brainstorm and interact. It allows the natural progress to prevail. I have made some interesting links through this site and I know that the best is yet to come. And now that I have a project of my own, am positive that I will link with some more people who share the same passion I have, which is to free our nation from malaria."

Issue 36
August 2010