Educating for Global Citizenship

Revised and approved by the NAIS board in August 2006.

Twenty-first century independent schools must prepare students to be knowledgeable, compassionate citizens and effective leaders within a rapidly transforming world. This objective requires an understanding of one's own culture while extending well beyond the boundary of the nation where instruction occurs. Such schools:

1. Present a view of the world that invites and rewards curiosity concerning the richness and diversity of all human societies and encourages respect for all people.
2. Develop a curriculum that helps students recognize how differing cultures, traditions, histories, and religions may underlie views and values that can sharply contrast with their own.
3. Provide resources and activities in support of instruction that can help carry learning in the direction of world understanding.
4. Expect teachers, administrators, and other staff members to model respect for all peoples and cultures and to address constructively instances of bias or disdain for nationalities, cultures, or religions outside of their own.
5. Seek beyond the institution itself partnerships and networking that may help it promote global awareness, experience, and problem-solving for its students.
6. Educate and encourage parents to support school initiatives that promote global understanding.
7. Seek a diversity of cultural, national, and ethnic backgrounds in the recruitment of teachers and administrators.

The NAIS Principles of Good Practice for member schools define high standards and ethical behavior in key areas of school operations to guide schools in becoming the best education communities they can be. Accordingly, membership in NAIS is contingent upon agreement to abide by "the spirit" of the PGPs. Principles are precepts grounded in an ethic and ethos of doing the right thing. Practices are common activities.

NAIS member schools can download individual Principles of Good Practice from this section of the NAIS website for distribution within the school community. Printed booklets (printed once each year) are also available for sale through the bookstore -- but the website is always the most up to date collection of the PGPs. It is our hope that the increased visibility of and easy access to the principles will go a long way in helping schools fulfill their missions.