About Us

Global Learning Believes:

• That International, Intercultural and Global education will improve the lives and well-being of CBE students and their communities.
• That Global Citizenship is a way of thinking, acting, and communicating based on intercultural, international and global competence (knowledge, experience and wisdom).
• That International, Intercultural and global competence develops through the practice and subsequent reflection of engaging with diverse people, languages and experiences.
• That relationships with groups and individuals from around the world, which are based in solidarity and reciprocity, are key to developing Global Citizens.

The Calgary Board of Education's Global Learning Strategy ensures that CBE students and staff are prepared to think, act and speak in diverse cultural settings with awareness and world-mindedness.   The Global Learning Strategy empowers people to be able to move from one cultural setting to another with confidence and competence.

Some Fun Facts:
89% of CBE schools reported in 2010 that they routinely engage in whole-school initiatives to raise awareness and take action on global issues.  84% of schools reported in the same survey that they would like to be twinned with a school abroad.  47 students from the CBE have participated in the Alberta Education Student Exchange Program.

Reasons for this engagement included:

1. Cultural Diversity within schools impacting students and creating a need for understanding and respect for diverse values and traditions.
2. International Language Programmes gaining interest and relevance to students and parents.
3. World Economics impacting students and causing them to think differently about their future career aspirations.
4. Global Issues such as earthquakes, nuclear power, pollution, famine, and war in the media needing to be acknowledged and addressed by the school community.
5. International Engagement that moved students from acts of charity and paternalism to acts of solidarity and empowerment.

The Calgary Board of Education:

Field Experiences for Students: 2663 students explored Canada's rich cultures and sub-cultures outside of Alberta's Borders and 724 students explored life and culture outside of Canada's borders in countries such as France, Belgium, the UK, and China, during the 2010-2011 school year. 

International Certificate:  A formal recognition by the Chief Superintendent, acknowledging the international, intercultural and global achievements of CBE students through their high school years.  Currently over 1200 high school students are working towards their International Certificates and last year 146 students graduated with this honor.

International Youth Leadership Summit – China and Calgary:  Each year 28 grade 11 students from across the CBE delve into Intercultural Studies 35 in order to prepare themselves for a 12 day immersion experience in China.  The students participate in an in-depth study of China and Chinese culture, international career opportunities, intercultural communication skills, and a three-day Youth Summit on world issues.  The students then plan the Summit in Calgary during the following year, acting as ambassadors for students attending from Alberta and from around the globe.

Teacher Training and Cultural Immersion for Educators from across the Globe:  Teachers from around the world routinely visit the Calgary Board of Education, and often for extended periods of time, to study CBE ways of teaching and learning.  Personalization of learning, inquiry-based learning, and experiential learning are always of great interest to our teachers from abroad.

School Twinnings and Partnerships:  18% of CBE schools have a partner school abroad.  Schools share information about their physical and human geography, discuss global issues and strategize about solutions to local, national and international problems.  Schools utilize innovative technologies such as Video Conferencing and Blogging, with due attention given to digital citizenship, to allow for relationships to be built and maintained across borders.

International Education Week:  Celebrated by 85 countries, the CBE celebrates International Education Week engaging students and staff in international, intercultural and global celebrations, awareness, and action.

Global Professional Learning Communities:  Over 50 CBE staff, meet throughout the year to look at current academic research and practice, where global learning and intercultural engagement are concerned.

International Professional Development:  Each year, CBE staff members have the opportunity, through their own personal time and funding, to travel to China or India.  The China Study Tour allows participants to study the educational systems and culture in Beijing and Chongqing.  The Study of Participatory Research and Community-Based Action in India allows participants to gain insight into participatory approaches that empower marginalized groups.

Memorandums of Understanding:  The Calgary Board of Education's Global Learning currently has MOU's with many countries around the world.

www.cbeglobalconnect.ca:  A website for CBE staff and students to access a wealth of information and opportunities for all things Global, Intercultural and International.