Student Opportunities

GEBG currently offers a few select student opportunities in support of its member schools and their partners:

+ Student Action Summits

+ Virtual Student Dialogues

+ Global Competence Certificate Program for Students

+ Student Bilingual Publishing Opportunity

+ Salomon Prize for Student Expression and Thought on Global Issues

Student Action Summits

Students are actively seeking ways to both engage with the pressing global issue of concern to them and to connect with peer student leaders at other schools who share their purpose. Consequently, GEBG is piloting a new series of primarily regional, student-centered summits. Over the course of these one-day events, high-school student leaders collaborate, share, and engage in dialogue around their efforts and actions as global citizens. While these events are designed to be regional in scope, they are open to participation from all GEBG Member Schools and their partners, and we welcome presentation proposal submissions from any GEBG Member School.

2024-25 DATES AND LOCATIONS

Think Local, Reach Global – Action that Echoes

May 3, 2025 hosted at Herlufsholm Skole og Gods outside of Copenhagen, Denmark

+ Call for student presentation proposals now open through April 7, 2025.

Arts and Innovation for an Equitable and Sustainable Future

January 25, 2025 Hosted at Rye Country Day outside of New York City, USA

Climate Action

November 16, 2024 hosted at Appleby College outside of Toronto, Canada

January 9, 2025 Information Session– join us for a brief virtual meet-up to learn more about the summits

Sample Program

8.30AM: Arrivals to campus and registration
9.00-10.30AM: Opening plenary
10.30-10.45AM: Break
10.45AM-12.00PM: Dialogue 1
12.00-1.00PM: Lunch
1.00-1.30PM: Breakout Presentations A
1.40-2.10PM: Breakout Presentations B
2.15-3.15PM: Dialogue 2
3.15-3.45PM: Break
3.45-4.15PM: Community action planning in school groups
4.15-5.00PM: Closing session

Sample Themes

While students will bring their own areas of focus and each summit will feature unique content from the host school and presenting students, some topics of focus may include the following:

*Climate/Sustainability Action

*Innovation and Technology

*Social Justice

*Arts Activism

*Community Engagement/Partnerships

*Collaborative Leadership

Student Action Summit: Think Local, Reach Global – Action that Echoes

Saturday, May 3, 2025 hosted at Herlufsholm Skole og Gods outside of Copenhagen, Denmark

With up to 4 additional days of programming available [details below]!

Our third Student Action Summit of the 2024-25 School Year will be taking place at Herlufsholm Skole outside of Copenhagen, Denmark on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 from 9AM-5PM. This summit’s focus will be taking local action around issues of global significance–particularly social, environmental, and wellbeing–chosen in partnership with the hosting school.

Students are encouraged to participate in this summit if they are passionate about themes such as civil rights, sustainability, or wellbeing and would like inspiration on how to take action themselves—or if they themselves have taken action and are happy to share. The focus of the summit will be sharing and developing initiatives within these 3 globally relevant areas in a locally relevant fashion.
At least one (two encouraged) faculty mentor/s will accompany a student participant group of 2-10 participants. For 2024/25, all three Student Action Summits will be for high schoolers (ages 14-18). There will also be optional faculty-only sessions on leading student initiative and innovation efforts in schools and on integrating the pedagogy of intercultural dialogue across programs and classes.

Some possible initiatives and questions that student participants might bring include the following:

Sample Initiatives

>> Using Design Thinking to develop sustainable solutions to local issues
>> Taking meaningful personal or school-, or community-based action toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals
>> Leading a student club, committee, or affinity group with a social-, environmental-, and/or wellbeing-related focus
>> Partnering with faculty to lead schoolwide social-, environmental-, and/or wellbeing-related initiatives
>> Integrating dialogue into existing social-, environmental-, and/or wellbeing-related programming
>> Bringing social-, environmental-, and/or wellbeing-related speakers to campus
>> Developing communications (newsletters/info sheets/podcasts) about how school community members can contribute to social-, environmental-, and/or wellbeing-related causes

Sample Questions

>> What actions and strategies can I use to make meaningful local impact in issues of global resonance?
>> In what ways are other students taking meaningful action around globally important issues?
>> What kinds of programs and activities could help my school community understand how to take meaningful action around globally important issues?
>> In what ways do school programs and operations contribute to amelioration of global issues, and how could I contribute to minimizing these negative impacts?

Call for Proposals!

As you can see in the below schedule, there will be two breakout presentation sessions where students will be able to choose among multiple options of presentations given by students about a particular climate-, social-justice, or wellbeing- related project or initiative that they are currently involved in at their school.

Click here to submit a proposal.

Herlufsholm Student Action Summit Schedule

There are 1.5 days of student-developed, self-guided scavenger hunts–one in Næstved (3 hours) and one in Copenhagen (3-6 hours)–that are available for free for registrants through the registration form.

Friday, May 2, 2025

Optional: Student-facilitated visit to three “authentic Denmark” sights for social justice, sustainability, and wellbeing in Copenhagen, Denmark [additional costs involved]

Saturday, May 3, 2025

8.30AM: Arrivals to campus and registration
9.00-10.30AM: Opening plenary
10.30-10.45AM: Break
10.45AM-12.00PM: Dialogue 1*
12.00-1.00PM: Lunch
1.00-1.30PM: Breakout Presentations A**
1.40-2.10PM: Breakout Presentations B**
2.15-3.15PM: Dialogue 2*
3.15-3.45PM: Break
3.45-4.15PM: Community action planning in school groups
4.15-5.00PM: Closing session

*At Herlufsholm, concurrent adult programming on leading student initiatives and innovation in schools and utilizing intercultural dialogue as a pedagogy across classes and programs will be provided for those interested.

**Moreover, a session detailing the green accounting and sustainability initiatives taken at organizational level will be presented.

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Optional: visit to Tivoli Gardens or Bakken amusement parks [additional costs involved]

+ FORMAT: In-person student-developed and -led summit with plenary sessions, dialogue groups, breakout presentations, and community action planning
+ TIMING: Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 9AM – 5PM **[Optional pre-summit student-led Copenhagen adventure for Friday, May 2 and coordinated visit to Tivoli Gardens or Bakken amusement parks on Sunday, May 4—both at additional cost]**
+ LOCATION: Hosted at Herlufsholm Skole og Gods outside of Copenhagen, Denmark [guidance on travel from Copenhagen to the school provided upon registration]
+ COST: $90 USD (per member-school student); $50.00 USD (per member-school adult)
$115 USD (per non-member-school student); $60.00 USD (per non-member-school adult)
Summit registration cost includes lunch and a morning and afternoon snack. Participants will also be provided with conference presentation materials and related resources.
+ AUDIENCE: Students Years 9-12 and their accompanying adult mentor/s

Click here to register.

Global Competence Certificate for Students

GEBG is partnering with AFS to offer a Global Competence Certificate Program for students ages 14-17. The program includes a combination of AFS-developed asynchronous online coursework as well as synchronous GEBG-facilitated dialogues. Students in this program all come from GEBG Member Schools and will interact with one another in a GEBG-exclusive asynchronous platform and in dialogues facilitated by trained GEBG facilitators.

The Global Up Teen program is a one-of-a-kind, virtual program, open to teens (aged 14-17) to develop key global skills for the emerging future and build bridges across cultures, all while becoming part of a truly global community. Global Up Teen features a closed, minors-only platform for connecting and sharing with other learners worldwide.

Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate to accompany the new knowledge, skills, and attitudes developed through the program. Completion of the program involves doing all of the asynchronous coursework as well as attending one of each of the four Facilitated Dialogue Sessions (each offered twice during the times below). Students can also participate in the program without earning a certificate, if they so desire.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM

DISCOVER

Welcome & Roadmap
Metaphors of Culture
Who Am I?
Leaving your Comfort Zone
Exploring Perspectives

DELIVER

Stereotypes & Generalizations
Empathy & Listening
Suspending Judgment
Cultural Value Dimensions
Communication Styles

DEEPEN

Dealing with Conflict
Coping & Being Resilient
Understanding Inequality

DEBRIEF

Power & Privilege
Skilling Up for the Future
Taking Action

During each of the live Facilitated Dialogue Sessions (FDSs), students will engage in full-group facilitated discussions, led by a trained GEBG-AFS facilitator, as well as indirectly supervised breakout discussions—the facilitator will remain in the main Zoom room, but students will be alone in 4-6 student breakout rooms, with the ability to return to the Main Room at any time. At least two adults from GEBG will be present in the Main Room during these sessions at all times.

Students need to be registered by a supervising adult at their school who will be responsible for supporting their school’s participant/s. This support is mostly through facilitating registration and helping to respond to any needs that might come up, but these adults do not need to attend any of the live dialogue sessions or to take the course themselves.
+ FORMAT: Asynchronous online coursework (10-12 hours) and four synchronous, virtual dialogues
+ DATES: A certificate for the course requires full participation in 4 synchronous Facilitated Dialogue Sessions which cover 4 different content areas.

Dialogue #1: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 // 3-4.30PM Pacific / 6-7.30PM Eastern
Dialogue #2: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 // 3-4.30PM Pacific / 6-7.30PM Eastern
Dialogue #3: Tuesday, August 5, 2025 // 3-4.30PM Pacific / 6-7.30PM Eastern
Dialogue #4: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 // 3-4.30PM Pacific Pacific / 6-7.30PM Eastern
Make Up Session: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 // 3-4.30PM Pacific Pacific / 6-7.30PM Eastern European

+ COST: $250 per participant, member schools only
+ AUDIENCE: Students ages 14-17

Register Here

To navigate today’s political climate in a pluralistic world, it is essential that our students hone their intercultural communication and perspective-taking skills. GEBG’s Global Student Dialogues provide students the opportunity for dialogue and connection with peers from schools across North America and more than 22 countries around the world. Historically, these dialogues have addressed topics of global significance such as climate change and gender equality, topics related to global current events and UN Sustainable Development Goals in order to develop the student intercultural communication and perspective-taking.

With the guidance of facilitators, students engage in conversations in small groups, share their experiences and thoughts on the topic and practice essential skills related to respectful civil discourse. Students report that the two skills they most practice in this program are listening for understanding and listening with empathy.

Partnership Driven Dialogues

Integrating dialogue into the curriculum of a course or program allows educators to support participants in adequately preparing for, meaningfully engaging in, and thoughtfully debriefing an intercultural experience; however, one of the greatest challenges to doing so is the partnership development and logistical complexities required to make such an opportunity available to students across a school community.

This year GEBG is working to empower students and schools to take the lead in designing and facilitating rich, meaningful dialogues with their peers across the globe. Dialogues will be hosted by schools who provide student facilitators and topic. If your students are interested in hosting a dialogue or you would like additional details, please reach out to Melissa Brown, Director of Professional Learning and Intercultural Programs.

Upcoming Student Dialogues

Topics developed in partnership with GEBG Schools and their student leaders

Three-Part Intergenerational Sustainability and Climate Dialogue Series hosted by Wellington College (UK)

Learning from the experiences of those who came before us while empowering younger generations to take action is at the heart of intergenerational justice. Through sharing perspectives, engaging in reflection, tapping into wisdom across generations, and working together, we can bridge the past, present, and future to safeguard the planet.
Wellington College, in partnership with the Global Education Benchmark Group (GEBG), hosts a three-part intergenerational and intercultural dialogue series to foster these timely and essential conversations. These interactive sessions will bring together educators and students from schools worldwide and will address three central themes—our connection with nature, sustainability education, and climate action. Each dialogue is offered twice. Students who engage in all three dialogues will earn a certificate of participation.

+ PARTICIPANTS: Educators and Students from GEBG Schools, Wellington Schools, and Wellington Partner Schools
+ FACILITATORS: High school students from the dialogue host school, Wellington College. There will be at least one educator in each breakout discussion room.

DIALOGUE 1: Intergenerational Sustainability and Climate Dialogue: Connecting with Nature
How do our earliest experiences with nature shape our appreciation for the environment?

In this first dialogue, participants will reflect on how they first connected with nature and how their upbringing influenced their appreciation for the natural world. Whether through childhood adventures, family traditions, or the absence of green spaces, our early interactions with nature shape how we see and value our planet. How has access to nature changed over time? How do different communities foster an appreciation for the land and oceans? Through dialogue, we will surface the common threads that tie us to the natural world and consider how we can nurture a sense of respect and shared responsibility for safeguarding the earth and its resources.

+ DATE/TIME #1: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 // 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific /2:00-3:00 PM Eastern / 8:00-9:00 PM Central European
+ DATE/TIME #2: Tuesday, February 27, 2025 // 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific /2:00-3:00 PM Eastern / 8:00-9:00 PM Central European
Register here

DIALOGUE 2: Intergenerational Sustainability and Climate Dialogue: Learning About Sustainability and Climate
What role does education play in preparing us for a sustainable future?

This dialogue will explore how different generations have learned—or, in some cases, not learned—about sustainability and climate change. Participants will reflect on how their formal education addressed (or failed to address) environmental issues and the role of informal education in shaping their understanding of sustainability.
How have differing generational levels of exposure shaped our collective ability to address environmental challenges? What can we learn from each other to bridge generational gaps in knowledge and action? By exchanging insights, participants will explore how education—both in and out of the classroom—can be transformed into a powerful tool for building a more sustainable world.

+ DATE/TIME #1: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 // 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific /2:00-3:00 PM Eastern / 8:00-9:00 PM Central European
+ DATE/TIME #2: Thursday, March 6, 2025 // 6:30-7:30 AM Eastern / 12:30-1:30 PM Central European / 5:00-6:00 PM Indian Standard Time / 7:30-8:30 PM China Standard Time
Register here

DIALOGUE 3: Intergenerational Sustainability and Climate Dialogue: Taking Climate Action for a More Sustainable Future
How do we move from awareness to action?

Students and educators will explore personal and collective actions, recognizing the power of individual choices and systemic change. Perhaps most importantly, this dialogue will serve as a space for collaborative thinking: from reducing waste and transitioning to more conscientious lifestyles to engaging in activism and policy advocacy, participants will share what has worked, what setbacks they have faced, and what opportunities exist to make a real impact.
What does climate action look like in different cultural and generational contexts? What successes and challenges have people experienced in their efforts to live more sustainably, advocate for change, or implement policies that protect the environment? How can we work toward a more just and sustainable world as individuals and a community? This conversation will challenge participants to move beyond dialogue and toward meaningful collaboration, ensuring that what we learn from one another translates into tangible steps toward a thriving future for all.

+ DATE/TIME #1: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 // 11:00 AM-12:00 PM Pacific /2:00-3:00 PM Eastern / 8:00-9:00 PM Central European
+ DATE/TIME #2: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 // 11:00 AM-12:00 PM Pacific /2:00-3:00 PM Eastern / 8:00-9:00 PM Central European
Register here

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education Dialogue Series hosted by Good Future Foundation in partnership with GEBG

The Good Future Foundation (GFF) is a non-profit organization focused on equipping educators with the skills and resources to prepare students for an AI-infused world by developing curricula, providing training, and creating communities to support responsible AI integration within schools.

Good Future Foundation in partnership with GEBG is hosting a two-part dialogue series on the impact of AI on education. These dialogues will center on disinformation/misinformation, AI in education, the safety of AI, determining truth, and how this all affects your future opportunities. Teachers interested in this subject are invited to register and participate with a cohort of students in middle or high school. These sessions are free to attend and 90 minutes in duration.

+ PARTICIPANTS: Middle and High School Students approximately 13-18 years old
+ FACILITATORS: Good Future Foundation Student Advisory Council * There will be at least one observing adult in each breakout discussion room.*
+ COST: Free / Member schools and their invited partner schools only

DIALOGUE 1: AI: Meeting the Issues of the World:
How is Artificial Intelligence transforming our world, and what does this mean for our future?

In the first dialogue, we’ll discuss the multifaceted impact of artificial intelligence across education, work, and global challenges. Using our personal experience, we’ll reflect on AI’s potential to solve complex problems, its role in learning and professional development, and the ethical considerations that emerge as technology becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives.
We invite you to engage in this conversation to talk through what it means to be human in an AI-infused world and how we can utilise these tools to create more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable futures.

+ DATE/TIME: Thursday, March 13, 2025 // 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Pacific / 11:00 AM-12:30 PM Eastern / 5:00-6:30 PM Central European
Register here

DIALOGUE 2: Erosion of the Struggles of Learning/ Misinformation and Disinformation
How can we navigate the complex relationship between AI, learning, and personal growth?

In the second dialogue, we’ll explore the balance between technological assistance and intellectual growth. We will examine our dependency on AI, its impact on learning styles, and the potential risks of misinformation and disinformation.
Please join us in this discussion to reflect on how, as students, we can maintain critical thinking, preserve the value of struggle in learning, and foster a healthy, intentional relationship with technology that enhances rather than replaces human curiosity and insight.

+ DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 24, 2025 // 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Pacific / 11:00 AM-12:30 PM Eastern / 5:00-6:30 PM Central European
Register here

Mental Health Services Across the Globe: How do different cultures approach mental health, and what can we learn from them?

High School Intercultural Dialogue virtually hosted by student leaders from St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis, TN

In this dialogue, participants will explore the diverse ways mental health is understood and treated around the world. From traditional healing practices to modern psychiatric care, each culture brings unique perspectives on mental well-being shaped by history, beliefs, and community values. How do societal attitudes influence access to services? How has the stigma surrounding mental health evolved in different parts of the world? What role do government policies, community support systems, and healthcare infrastructure play in shaping mental health outcomes? By examining global approaches to mental health services, we will uncover not only common challenges but also innovative and culturally rooted solutions that promote well-being. Through dialogue, we will foster a deeper appreciation for how mental health care is interconnected with culture and consider how we can support more inclusive, respectful, and effective approaches to mental health worldwide.

+ DATE: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
+ TIME: 8:15 – 9:15 AM Pacific / 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM Eastern / 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM Central European
+ PARTICIPANTS: High School Students, Grades 9-12 (approximately 14-18 years old)
+ FACILITATORS: High School students from the dialogue host school, St. Mary’s Episcopal School, Memphis,TN, USA

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being- Access to Health Care

High School Intercultural Dialogue virtually hosted by student leaders from Groton School, Groton, MA

On the current global stage, where healthcare is being denied to nearly half of the global population, pushing 1.3 billion into poverty due to out-of-pocket health spending, and accounting for millions of deaths, we must address this ongoing violation of the basic human right to health and well-being. Historically, people have been discriminated against in the context of health access based on systemic factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, sex, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. By discussing such a pressing issue and enhancing our global awareness of different forms of healthcare and levels of accessibility worldwide, together we can take collective action in sparking discourse on this subject, while critiquing the disparities within our medical system.

+ DATE: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
+ TIME: 8:00-9:00 AM Eastern / 2:00-3:00 PM Central European
+ PARTICIPANTS: High School Students, Grades 9-12 (approximately 14-18 years old)
+ FACILITATORS: High School students from the dialogue host school, Groton School, Groton, MA, USA

Global Relations: Perspectives on Balancing Global Engagement and National Interests

High School Intercultural Dialogue virtually hosted by student leaders from McDonogh School, Owings Mills, MD

Should countries prioritize engagement in world affairs or focus on their own challenges? How do global events impact our daily lives? Join us for an engaging, open-minded discussion where we’ll explore our histories, current events, and personal perspectives on the balance between global engagement and national interests. This is a unique learning opportunity, free from politics—just curiosity, critical thinking, and fresh perspectives. Come ready to share, listen, and challenge your own ideas!

+ DATE: Thursday, April 24, 2025
+ TIME: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT |2:00-3:00 PM ET | 8:00-9:00 PM CET
+ PARTICIPANTS: High School Students, Grades 9-12 (approximately 14-18 years old)
+ FACILITATORS: High School students from the dialogue host school, McDonogh School, Owings Mills, MD, USA

Voices Across Borders: Navigating the Boundaries of Free Speech

Middle School Intercultural Dialogue virtually hosted by student leaders from McDonogh School, Owings Mills, MD

Free speech varies worldwide—some countries allow almost unrestricted expression, while others impose limits, often to protect individuals, groups, or society. In this discussion, we’ll explore what free speech means to you. Should governments have the right to regulate speech, especially if it harms others, like hate speech or misinformation? Are there situations where limiting free speech might protect the public, or should all ideas be freely expressed? If you’re from a place with limited free speech, how do people navigate these restrictions to share their views? Share your perspectives and experiences in this open dialogue.

+ DATE: Thursday, May 8, 2025
+ TIME: 10:00-11:00 AM Pacific /12:00-1:00 PM Eastern / 7:00-8:00 PM Central European
+ PARTICIPANTS: Middle School Students, Grades 7-8 (approximately 11-13 years old)
+ FACILITATORS: Middle School students from the dialogue host school, Old Trail School, Bath, OH, USA
Depending on the number of student participants, there may also be adult facilitators.
*There will be at least one observing adult in each breakout discussion room.*
+ COST: Free / Member schools and their invited partner schools only

Previous Student Dialogues

Navigating School Life: The Impact of Gender Identity on Opportunities and Experiences

High School Intercultural Dialogue virtually hosted by student leaders from Friends Seminary, New York, NY

Understanding of gender identity has evolved so much since our generation has been in high school. That being said, it is crucial for us as students to have education and shared definitions around gender identity and for our school communities to have an understanding about gender bias and how it plays out in overt and subtle ways in our classrooms and schools. Some schools have approached this issue by creating supports that include faculty/staff/student bias training, affinity spaces, reporting structures and more, but not all schools have implemented initiatives like these and even when they are present, the impacts of gender bias are still felt in our communities. Have initiatives like these and/or other efforts made an impact in your school, and if so, how? What ways to support gender justice are schools overlooking or not implementing fully? How can we as students support one-another, educate ourselves and let the adults in our communities know what we need? How do we make it clear that this applies to everyone regardless of gender identity?

+ DATE: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
+ TIME: 10:00-11:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM-2:00 PM Eastern / 7:00-8:00 PM Central European
+ PARTICIPANTS: High School Students, Grades 9-12 (approximately 14-18 years old)
+ FACILITATORS: High School students from the dialogue host school, Friends Seminary, New York, NY, USA

Civil Discourse and Freedom of Expression in an Increasingly Polarized World

High School Intercultural Dialogue virtually hosted by student leaders from Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale, NY

In this session, we will explore what freedom of expression looks like and the challenges it faces in our communities, states, countries and schools. We will consider where the line is between one person’s freedom and infringing on or offending others. Please join Scarsdale High School students in an exploration of definitions, challenges and needed protections in our current highly politicized and polarized world. Is civil discourse a lost skill? Our goal for the dialogue is to take a deep dive into these issues and better understand what they look like in each of our communities, with the hope of finding positive solutions. There will be a request for dialogue points and pathways of interest in preparation for our discussion.

+ DATE: Friday, January 31, 2025
+ TIME: 5:00-6:00 AM Pacific / 8:00-9:00 AM Eastern / 2:00-3:00 PM Central European
+ PARTICIPANTS: High School Students, Grades 9-12 (approximately 14-18 years old)
+ FACILITATORS: High School students from the dialogue host school, Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale, NY,USA

Zero Hunger: Ensuring Food Access

High School Intercultural Dialogue virtually hosted by student leaders from Palmer Trinity School (Miami, FL)
Currently, over 820 million people around the world are experiencing hunger, and many others live in “food deserts,” areas with limited access to nutritious food—even in our own communities. By sharing our stories and perspectives, we can emphasize that hunger and access to nutritious food are issues that impact us locally, nationally, and globally. Join Palmer Trinity for a Student Hosted Dialogue on Tuesday, December 3rd, at 11:30 AM EST focused on Hunger and Food Access. Together, we can explore the causes and consequences of food insecurity to raise awareness and build toward finding a sustainable solution.
+ DATE: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
+ TIME: 8:30-9:30 AM Pacific / 11:30 AM-12:30 PM Eastern / 5:30-6:30 PM Central European
+ PARTICIPANTS: High School Students, Grades 9-12 (approximately 14-18 years old)
+ FACILITATORS: High School students from the dialogue host school, Palmer Trinity School in Miami, FL, USA.

The Spread of Misinformation & Disinformation: From AI to Social Media

High School Intercultural Dialogue virtually hosted by student leaders from Miss Porter’s School (Farmington, CT, USA)

Did you know that while 96% of high school students in the U.S. struggle to accurately assess the credibility of online information, this also presents a unique opportunity for growth? As we navigate the vast world of media in our daily lives, it’s important to reflect on how the information we consume shapes our views of our communities and the world. By discussing the difference between misinformation and disinformation and by learning how to critically evaluate and interpret the sources of information we encounter, we can all become more informed, responsible consumers of media. Together, we will explore this critical issue and discover ways we can take action to promote truth and accuracy in the information we consume and share.

+ DATE: Wednesday, December 11, 2024
+ TIME: 10:00-11:00 AM Pacific / 1:00-2:00 PM Eastern / 7:00-8:00 PM Central European
+ PARTICIPANTS: High School Students, Grades 9-12 (approximately 14-18 years old)
+ FACILITATORS: High School students from the dialogue host school, Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, CT, USA. Depending on the number of student participants, there may also be adult facilitators.
*There will be at least one observing adult in each breakout discussion room.*
+ COST: Free / Member schools and their invited partner schools only

Student Action and Response to Extreme Weather Events

Virtually hosted by student leaders from The Wardlaw Hartridge School (NJ, USA) and The McDonough School (MD, USA)

Extreme weather events and natural disasters are becoming more frequent and intense. The wildfires in North America, the Mediterranean Basin, and Australia have devastated communities, while hurricanes are impacting people and economies across the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic basin. Prolonged drought in North America, South America, and Central Africa are straining water and food supplies. In large parts of Western North America, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, the heat has become unbearable, affecting lives in visible and not-so-visible ways. Reflecting on how we affect and are affected by these events can help us recognize and leverage our interconnectedness. Students will share how they are collaborating or can join efforts with local, national, and global organizations to contribute to collective action for positive change.

High School Student Dialogue

+ DATE: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
+ TIME: 9:00-10:00 AM Pacific / 12:00-1:00 PM Eastern / 5:00-6:00 PM Central European
+ PARTICIPANTS: High School Students, Grades 9-12 (approximately 14-18 years old)
+ FACILITATORS: High School students from the dialogue host school, The Wardlaw Hartridge School in Edison, NJ, USA.

Middle School Student Dialogue

+ DATE: Monday, November 4, 2024
+ TIME: 8:15-9:00 AM Pacific / 11:15-12:00 AM Eastern / 5:15-6:00 PM Central European
+ PARTICIPANTS: Middle School Students, Grades 6-7 (approximately 11-13 years old)
+ FACILITATORS: High School students from the dialogue host school, The McDonough School in Owings Mills, MD, USA.

Intercultural Dialogue: A Field Guide for Educators & Schools

This over 100-page publication, the first of its kind in the K-12 Global Education field, helps educators and student leaders seeking to bring dialogue into their classrooms and programs access model practices that help their students and peers learn competencies like perspective-taking and intercultural communication. 22 schools from within the GEBG Network have contributed to this publication; from those 22 schools, 22 school educator-leaders and 54 student leaders were directly involved in the drafting of various sections of the publication throughout the course of the past two years. This publication will be accessible in the coming months.

Order your copy for delivery in the U.S.

Order your copy for delivery outside of the U.S.

With support from The Edward E. Ford Foundation, GEBG expanded the Global Student Dialogues program to focus on intercultural dialogue and civil discourse and develop accompanying competency-based curricular resources adaptable for use by educators.

In 2022-23 GEBG partnered with 22 Leading Partner Schools, and engaged over 1000 middle and high school students from 10 different countries in active intercultural dialogue on global issues. We experimented with a number of models for our virtual dialogues, varying our timing; the length of each session; and also added student facilitators in late spring.

Student leaders involved in the Student Leadership Council helped guide the topics and format of all our dialogues, as well as developed their leadership and facilitation skills in partnership with peers from over 20 different schools. Adult representatives serving on the Educator Advisory Council provided essential contributions towards our publication of a guidebook on Intercultural Dialogue for schools. The Council identified the areas of most meaningful growth, and drafted materials that will be shared with our wider independent school community next school year. The leadership and insight of this group guided our dialogues as well as provided insight that will shape student learning around intercultural dialogue at independent schools throughout North America and well beyond.

We extend our thanks to the student and faculty leaders at those schools.

Appleby College (ON)
Academy of Notre Dame de Namur (PA)
Buckingham Browne and Nichols School (MA)
Brewster Academy (NH)
Castilleja School (CA)
Columbus School for Girls (OH)
Flintridge Preparatory School (CA)
Friends Seminary (NY)

Friends Seminary (NY)
Groton School (MA)
Holton-Arms School (MD)
Lower Canada College (QC)
Miami Country Day (FL)
Palmer Trinity School (FL)
Polytechnic School (CA)

Providence Day School (NC)
Rye Country Day School (NY)
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (MS)
St. Mary’s Episcopal (TN)
St. Mark’s School (MA)
Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School (GA)
Pace Academy (GA)
McDonogh School (MD)