Global Cities Inc. Positioned for Expansion in Warsaw
Warsaw, Poland – Global Cities Inc., a Program of Bloomberg Philanthropies, is positioned for expansion in Warsaw after its successful launch of Global Scholars, the international e-classroom. A three-school pilot program took place during the 2014-2015 school year with the endorsement of Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz. Officials of Global Cities, Inc. met with principals and teachers from 26 Warsaw schools about offering this digital initiative in additional classrooms. The meeting was hosted by Joanna Gospodarczyk, Director of the Warsaw Bureau of Education, at the Warsaw Centre for Socio-Educational Innovation and Training.
Global Scholars, an innovative education program that encourages communication and global awareness, was developed to address the need for international learning in our increasingly polarized yet interdependent world. Students in 123 classes from 32 cities in 19 countries across six continents are connected through an e-classroom, making it a truly international, peer-to-peer initiative for students ages 10 to 13. The curriculum is designed to recognize multiple perspectives, as well as to emphasize specific technology skills, English literacy and digital communication.
Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz said, “We are open to participation in innovative and international education programs implemented by Warsaw schools. As a result young Warsaw citizens are given the opportunity to develop their language and IT skills. Thanks to the cooperation and direct contact with their peers from various countries, they are given the chance to strengthen their attitude of openness and overcome any barriers, including language barriers. Global Scholars is just such a program.”
Global Cities Founder and President Marjorie B. Tiven said, “Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz had the vision to try this initiative in Warsaw and we are thrilled the pilot was successful. The Warsaw Department of Education recognizes that Global Scholars is an international learning opportunity for teachers as well as students. Teachers interact live through scheduled professional development sessions via video conference.”
Joanna Gospodarczyk of the Bureau of Education said, “What is valuable in this program is the broad support for educators. In addition to the opportunity to use teaching materials and methodology, they are provided with the chance to participate in professional development webinars. This means that educators are able to improve their teaching and language skills. Importantly, Global Scholars fits in perfectly with the objectives of the Warsaw Educational Support Program for the years 2013-2020. Warsaw is open to development and innovation initiatives, and that is why we are planning to continue to further promote the project and the ideals behind it.”
The participating schools are: Szkola Podstawowa No 314; Janusz Korczak’s Primary School No 146; and Zespol Szkol No 115, Gimnazjum No 105
About Global Cities, Inc.
Global Cities, Inc., a program of Bloomberg Philanthropies, works with cities worldwide to support global awareness among the next generation through cross-national interactive educational programs.
A distinguished advisory board was recently appointed and met for the first time on April 29th, 2015. They will work closely with the organization to expand its Global Scholars network of schools worldwide. Board members include: Tony Travers, Director of British Government @ LSE, a program at the London School of Economics; Milbrey “Missie” Rennie Taylor, Vice-President of ThirdAge Media; Michael Rubenstein, President of AppNexus; Fernando Reimers, Professor of Practice in International Education and International Education Policy at Harvard University; Robert Orr, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy and a former UN Assistant Secretary-General; William (Bill) Gray, Senior Advisor to the Blackstone Group; Thomas H. Golden, Senior Attorney for Bloomberg LP; Ester R. Fuchs, Professor of International and Public Affairs and Political Science at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs; Ambassador Rosemary A. DiCarlo, former U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN; Carol Bellamy, former head of UNICEF, the International Baccalaureate Board of Governors, and the Global Partnership for Education; Frances Arricale, Start-Up Director of Global Cities, Inc. and former Vice-President at New York Life Insurance Co.
President Marjorie B. Tiven served as New York City Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs from 2002-2014 under the administration of Michael R. Bloomberg. Just prior to this visit to Warsaw, Tiven spoke at the Harvard Graduate School of Education panel, “Connecting Students Using Digital Technology.” The conference, Think Tank on Global Education, engaged “participants in active and critical examination of global competency and the practice of global education.”
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ mission is to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Public Health, Environment, Education, Government Innovation and the Arts. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2014, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $462 million. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.
Contact
About Global Cities, Inc. and Global Scholars: Meg Louis, +1 212-618-6345, mlouis@globalcities.org
For Polish Media enquiries: Magdalena Jadziewicz-Kasak, +48 224-430-109, mjadziewicz@um.warszawa.pl
About Bloomberg Philanthropies: Rebecca Carriero, +1 212-205-0182, rebeccac@bloomberg.org