In today’s global economic integration, talent has become the key to leading the economic and social development of countries. Faced with the challenges of the future world, we need to think about the sustainable development of individuals, society, and countries with new ideas. On September 6, 2023, at the National Convention Center in Beijing, discussions centered around “Sustainable Talent Cultivation and Development” at one of the themed forums at China International Fair for Trade in Service — “2023 International Talent Sustainable Development Forum.” Chinese Principal Luna Cao from our school was invited to attend and discuss “Cultivating Sustainable Talents through Sustainable Education” with experts from international schools and the international education industry across the country.
This event gathered representatives from the United Nations in China, ambassadors, education counselors, representatives of international organizations, scholars, executives from Fortune 500 companies, principals of international schools, and other professionals, aiming to enhance the public’s understanding of sustainable talent development. It sought to provide new ideas and solutions for global talent development strategies and to promote the process of sustainable development for global talent.
During the event, Harrow Nanning’s Education Community with 6 Local Schools Project was honoured as the “Best Innovation Case for Global Youth Sustainable Development Goals”. The case from our school will be compiled by the organising committee and submitted to the relevant departments of the United Nations and exhibited at the UN headquarters.
Sustainability Education
On September 25, 2015, at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit, 193 member states officially adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), termed as “17 Goals to Change the World.” The aim is to comprehensively address social, economic, and environmental development issues from 2015 to 2030, turning to the path of sustainable development. All countries, whether poor, wealthy, or middle-income, should take action to protect the planet while promoting economic prosperity, which is the common vision of people worldwide.
The 17 goals for human sustainable development proposed by the United Nations include “ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.” By 2030, all children and young people should have access to quality education and vocational training.
Since its establishment, AISL Harrow Nanning has actively promoted the sustainable development goal of “educational equity”. Through visits and interviews, the school’s teachers and students found disparities in the surrounding environment of the school and unequal distribution of educational resources. In September 2021, students and teachers from the school’s six Houses initiated the “6 Schools Project,” which was fully supported by the school. Harrow Nanning established partnerships with six rural schools in the Yongning District of Nanning. They carried out campus construction aid, teacher training, school exchanges, and other activities, sharing the school’s educational resources with five rural primary schools and one middle school, ensuring that more children and young teachers have continuous learning opportunities and access to quality educational resources.
From 2021 to 2023, the school carried out a series of actions, including teacher-student teaching, mutual visits between young teachers from fellow schools, training, exchange visits, joint school performances, school sports carnivals, etc., opening a window of Sino-foreign cultural exchange for these schools’ students and young teachers. Moreover, through educational fellowship
activities, we organised extended projects like the “Project H” to recycle old books and donate children’s books to kindergartens in the surrounding area of Yongning District, benefiting the entire educational community, driving the development of education for disadvantaged groups in the urban area where the school is located, and promoting educational equity.
The school will continue to uphold the project’s objectives, making the fellowship education program a long-term plan for community service and leadership in the school. At the same time, the school will standardise the various sub-projects within the programme, forming a set of executable standards. Furthermore, the school calls on more students to identify additional needs through interviews, questionnaires, and practical methods, to develop “derivative” projects, ensuring the long-term and stable implementation of the programme.
Youth is the future,dedicate to sustainable education.
Harrow Nanning has always taken “Sustainability” as one of its educational goals since its establishment, integrating the 17 sustainable development goals into its curriculum.
In the autumn semester of 2021, during the super course week, the school took “Sustainable Development” as the theme, exploring environmental protection, urban transformation, and future cities, deepening the understanding of sustainable development through visiting nearby communities, writing research reports, and manual modeling, among others.
In May 2022, during the first TEDxYouth@HarrowNanning, teachers and students from Harrow Nanning’s education community themed their discussion around “Sustainability for a Better World,” voicing their support for the sustainable development goals.
In June 2022, the school’s house activity day was themed “Water Aid Challenge.” They carried out house exploration projects, recording water diaries, water collection challenges, and drawing super banners to arouse students’ awareness of the value of water resources.
The future is here.
Starting with educational innovation to equipping students with competency following the trend global sustainable development.
To cultivate the leadership to change the world,
Harrow Nanning has always been on this journey.
