College of the Rockies recently welcomed two Grade 11 social studies classes to the main campus to learn more about the College’s International Development partnerships, and the complex world of international development.
Over two mornings the students, accompanied by their teacher Constance Merz, participated in a collaborative exercise with facilitators from the College. Real-life scenarios experienced by the International Business Development department were shared with the students who worked in teams to determine how the different stakeholders would collaborate to address the issues presented.
College of the Rockies International Projects and Partnerships Manager, Graham Knipfel was one of the facilitators. “We were thrilled to have the Mt. Baker students participate in this exercise with us. In our globalized world it is important that we explore what is being done to close the poverty gap by providing skills training, at a train-the-trainer level, to improve human development in the Global South,” he says.
The goal of the collaboration was to provide the students with an understanding of the basic concepts in international development, the role of educational institutions in international development and encouraged them to embrace active global citizenship.
“It is hoped the students will have a better appreciation of the benefits of acquiring international experience and an increased understanding of the complexity in international development,” Knipfel continues.
Learn more about College of the Rockies’ International partnerships and study abroad opportunities.