Supporting Australian Schools to Build Global Engagement

The Australian Government’s National Strategy for International Education 2025 positions schools to play an important part in Australia’s national policy of engagement with the wider world, building internationally minded young people, citizens and communities now and into Australia’s future. Global engagement programs encourage and enable Australian schools and communities to live, learn and work in a globally connected world, where respect for cultural diversity combines with a desire for a more just and ecologically sustainable world. Previous research has shown that a majority of Australian schools is interested in global engagement, and some already have developed mature global engagement programs. Other schools, though, would benefit from good practice examples and information to guide and inspire them to explore engagement options that are appropriate to their particular school and school community. This research, funded by the Department of Education’s Enabling Growth and Innovation program, set out to identify and map existing resources and best practice strategies and cases of Global Engagement from across the sector. The methodology involved desktop research, interviews with relevant stakeholders from schools, governments and professional bodies, and ongoing consultation with an advisory Reference Group representing major peak bodies. The study found that Australian schools were engaged in a wide range of programs, including: school partnerships, study tours, student and teacher exchanges, use of innovation and education technology, immersive cultural and language learning experiences and more. The research informed the development of an interactive Toolkit: https://internationaleducation.gov.au/International-network/Australia/InternationalStrategy/EGIProjects/Documents/Attachment%20B%20-%20FINAL%20Monash%20toolkit.pdf