Global Citizens is one of three goals in the NZ International Education Strategy 2018-2030. ENZ entered a partnership with Massey University and AFS (formerly American Field Scholars) to design and deliver the Global Citizens Certificate (GCC). The GCC comprises 18 modules and four live facilitated dialogue sessions and has been branded for NZ. The course aims for participants to:
- Become more self-aware
- Increase awareness of others
- Learn how to manage emotional responses
- Learn how to bridge across differences. ENZ Insights was asked to undertake a small evaluation project to understand the outcomes. Objectives included understanding:
- The level of change in knowledge about global citizenship pre and post the certificate training
- The level of change in ability to act as a global citizen pre and post the certificate training
- What was the most important thing they learnt
- Satisfaction with the course
- Areas where improvements could be made in the course. A short nine question online survey was sent to all enrollees. Respondents received an email inviting them to take part after the course, and a follow-up email four weeks later. Analysis was undertaken at the total level (all responses excluding missing responses). Comparisons were made between subgroups comprising the three different types of course. The results indicated that the initial 2021 GCC programme was delivering on its target volumes and intended course outcomes. Survey respondents regarded the course very positively and reported substantially increased levels of knowledge about global citizenship and their ability to act due to the course. Thematic analysis of free text fields shows many respondents said they learnt:
- Increased self-awareness,
- How cultures differ from their own
- The importance of communication skills and techniques Improvement areas were identified, and recommendations made.
