📍 Dublin Five Nations Conference
This year’s Dublin Five Nations Conference holds the usual excitement of meeting with exceptional professionals from across the five nations. Representatives from each nation meet annually to discuss and reflect on the best practice in response to citizenship and a rights-based approach. This year’s focus was specifically on the Inner Development Goals, and how these support us as individuals to realise The Sustainable Development Goals.
This year is also exciting, as it is a somewhat poignant moment of reflection for me. This time 6 years ago, I attended my first Five Nations Conference in Dublin. As a young, eager professional, I was invited as a teacher for the first time. I had received a small amount of funding to make a film with my wee rural P5 class alongside my friends’ class in an Urban Catholic School setting. The project allowed the children to engage in rights concepts, while inspecting their own surroundings and comparing with those of their P5 counterparts. We even managed a jolly to Ayr. For many of you, this may not seem like the most appealing trip, but for many of my learners, this was their first visit to a big town and first experience of train travel. This day was one of my favourite moments, as a teacher and as a human – a day of joy, exploration and new memories.
Reflecting on these memories has offered me an opportunity to reflect on my own journey as a professional. Six years ago, I was a young teacher attempting to understand and teach in a rights-responsive way, having a lot of fun, but making some mistakes along the way. My practice, although wonderfully intended, only sometimes worked quite right, or fully considered the actionable elements of rights – a lot of knowledge, not much demonstration. Fast forward a few years, I still make mistakes and I continue to learn- I have researched, I have piloted, I have been unfeart, attempting to find what works for my learners. Looking for creative solutions that help make these international, BIG concepts into the reality of the contexts within which I live and work.
I now work for Scotland-based Children’s Parliament; an organisation a few years ago I would have only dreamt of working for; an organisation that prioritises children and their right to be healthy, happy and safe. This moment of reflection, although hugely self-indulgent on my part, is one we could all learn from.
Where were you 6 years ago in your journey relating to rights?
You may be perfect- if so, please send me all answers on a postcard! If you, like me 6 years ago, are at the start of your journey- inexperienced in this and still trying to figure out where to start, here are a few pieces of advice:
🧡 START
I started as I wanted to push my learners outside of their comfort zone (and my own). Oh, and the potential of a jolly with my best pal and her class also was a big positive too, I won’t lie! Which leads me to my next big tip….
🧡 FIND ALLIES
Create space for you to develop, not be afraid to make mistakes and give your learners that space to lead, learn and own their power. By finding a group of unfearties (we’d be delighted to welcome you into our gang!) you will be surrounded by people who will encourage you, support you, but most importantly challenge you. By finding these humans, the last 6 years of my career have been filled with moments that have enriched me as a teacher and a human, helping me explore what works and why.
🧡 BE INSPIRED BY OTHERS
Look at what already exists. Learn and be inspired by others and what they have done. The Dignity in School Hub is a great place to start with school case studies, resources and session plans.
Ultimately, we may only sometimes get it quite right, but the fact that you are starting and wanting to get it right for your learners is hugely powerful.
And, quite frankly, the most important question is not where you were six years ago. It’s where you will be in the next six?
This blog was written by Jill Burdett, Project Lead, Dignity in School.
We’d love to hear your thoughts and reflections on your own unfeart, rights-realising journey. Please get in touch via @creative_voices, @childrensparliament or for further discussion, join our Unfearties Facebook Group here.