Global solidarity and action

Global solidarity and action

Date: 28 November 2012

Is a concern for global justice just for the middle class? Does being poor mean you have to prioritise helping yourself?

I don’t think so, and have the evidence!
WDM’s Global Connect project is a bit different to other WDM work – it’s an adult education programme we’ve been working at it here in Scotland for the last ten years, aiming to encourage and support active global citizenship.

Most recently, we’ve been running a weekly workshop with homeless and vulnerable people, jointly with the Bethany Christian Trust, looking at a variety of different social and economic justice issues – local, global, the connections between them and, importantly, doing something about them. The group participants – some of the poorest people in the UK – have a huge range of life experiences and lots of talents, creativity and empathy. Taking part in the group gives an opportunity to show these. It’s a place to be listened to and challenged, somewhere to build confidence to act both individually and as a group.

But don’t take my word for it – please have a look at this video which focuses on what the group thinks:

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Rgqk9ZJ0w&feature=g-upl width:500]

Recently a 14 year old on work experience sat in on a workshop and he was moved to write “I realised that these people here were normal people from poor backgrounds and managed to put these problems at the back of their minds and saw from now on the good in life…………This discussion group is a valuable and core part of these people’s lives.”

You should read his full report on the experience at http://www.caringchristmastrees.com/how-wrong-i-was/

Here’s a bit more about Global Connect