At the end of August, the Party Central Committee issued Resolution 71 on breakthrough development of education and training, in which one of the six main guiding principles is “educating and training Vietnamese citizens to become global citizens.” For many years, “Global Citizenship & Intercultural Learning” has been strongly implemented at The Dewey Schools, as one of the three foundational pedagogical statements of the school. This demonstrates that teaching and learning activities at The Dewey Schools align with the direction and policies of the entire education sector.
Not just words on paper, “global citizenship” is demonstrated through each practical lesson. The opening of the Global Citizenship class for 12th-grade San Jose students was centered on a pressing global issue. “About 263 million children worldwide still do not have access to school, according to UNESCO statistics. Instability in some countries affects the protection of freedom of expression. Some communities are denied educational opportunities simply because of differences in beliefs.” Students were tasked with analyzing, evaluating, reflecting, and putting themselves in the positions of different stakeholders, leading to deeper discussion and sharing.
What is the connection between human rights and everyday life? What would happen if a human right were taken away? Through group activities, students realized that human rights are not abstract knowledge but exist in everyday life—they are being able to study, freely express opinions, and be safe at school. Understanding rights is also understanding the value of life—the foundation for each student to grow with a sense of citizenship and global responsibility.
“A global citizen not only understands world issues but also proactively acts responsibly to contribute to the community,” shared Ms. Đoàn Thị Sáu, Global Citizenship Teacher. “Every exercise and every discussion is designed to guide students in connecting knowledge with practice, developing teamwork skills, reflective thinking, and presenting ideas clearly.”
In the era of national advancement, the journey to becoming a global citizen at Dewey Hải Phòng begins in lessons like these—where empathy, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and respect for differences are nurtured. For Dewey students, each lesson is more than knowledge in textbooks or classroom discussions—it is the foundation to step into the world, listen from multiple perspectives, appreciate differences, and act responsibly.
