The festive season approaches

[Boyd Roberts]

As Christmas and other end of year festivities approach, it is a good time to consider some seasonal issues relevant to the IGC Award.

Think Global’s UK Global Dimension website considers how we send good wishes to each other at Christmas and has a number of links to post relating to Christmas on global education sites.

http://globaldimension.org.uk/news/item/18526

Look also at posts from previous years:

Santa at http://globaldimension.org.uk/news/item/16466

Festive inspiration at http://globaldimension.org.uk/news/item/14189

 

How other cultures celebrate Christmas on the Award Ning site has links to a number of sites giving information on Christmas traditions in different countries.

http://igcaward.ning.com/forum/topics/how-other-cultures-celebrate-christmas

Personal purchases and gifts

At this time of year many students will be giving and receiving gifts – providing opportunities for seasonal activities on Being good with money.

Check out the following posts on the Ning:

Young people as consumers

http://igcaward.ning.com/forum/topics/young-people-as-consumers

Commercialism, Christmas, Culture and Consumerism

http://igcaward.ning.com/forum/topics/commercialism-christmas

If participants are giving or receiving gifts, this is an opportunity to find out more about the impact of those gift items on the wider world.

Smartphones and sustainability is a new 5 minute video outlining the resources and working conditions associated with production of smartphones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EqXQ42QAaY

Christmas decorations

In the UK at least, the trend for houses ot be decorated with lights for Christmas continues. For one example, visit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9ds_T_5ZkA

A considerable amount of energy is used in these displays. Is this OK because it is just once a year, or is it a concern?