In our increasingly diverse world, it is essential that children are prepared not only to manage diversity, but to engage with it (Cameron & Leman, 2015).
They must be equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors that enable them to be informed, engaged and empathetic citizens (UNCESCO, 2014).
Children with friends outside their own social, ethnic, racial, economic, or religious bubbles develop important 21st century skills and abilities that those who stay in their own group/bubble won’t.
Prosocial behavior, global knowledge, culturally open attitudes and contact skills developed in early childhood will influence choices throughout their lifetime: whom to befriend, whom to help, whom to trust, whom to hire, whom to elect. In adulthood, amplified by economic and security concerns, biases can feed division, hatred and persistent inequality.
That is why One Globe Kids is designed as a virtual friendship experience – child users will feel that they have actually met, visited and befriended a peer elsewhere. This lays the foundation for a new generation of problem solvers: global citizens who feel safe, happy and excited about interacting with diverse people and in diverse contexts.
Read more on the Globe Smart Kids blog:
Diverse friendships are good for kids (and require confidence!) – Part 1/2
Diverse friends are good for kids (and require confidence!) – Part 2/2