Evolving School Partnerships in 2023/2024

Responding to the many questions that young people and those involved in educational visits are asking themselves in a post-COVID era, we are keen to support and inform discussion on the nature School Partnerships in 2023.

Amidst the many pressures that COVID has imposed on young people, has lockdown and its legacy taught us that digital engagement can replace costly, carbon-emitting long-haul flights, or do visits to one another’s countries still offer a more horizon-expanding, life-enhancing experience?

How equitable and reciprocal are school visits and how effective are they in achieving their intended aims? If there is a new paradigm of ‘Global Citizenship’ in the wake of COVID and taking account of concepts such as 'white saviour complex' and 'voluntourism', how are schools, youth groups and organisations central to visits between Scotland and Malawi responding?

Open to all interested, this impactful online event did welcome schools, youth groups, pupils and teachers in Scotland and Malawi. Whilst reflecting on previous successes and challenges, we looked to the future, exploring what school partnerships mean in 2023, with a focus on Global Citizenship.

As well as listening to Teachers and Students themselves, reflecting on how their organisations are reframing their work post COVID, we heard from:

• SMP member James Kelly from Classrooms for Malawi - watch presentation here
• SMP member Dom Webb from Orbis Expeditions - watch presentation here
  

As well as updates from:

• The Malawi Scotland Partnership (MaSP), our sister network & us:
• The Malawi Scotland Partnership (SMP)