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Global Kids: Serious Games For A Better Future

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National Summer Learning Association Chooses Global Kids As One Of The Best Summer Learning Programs

Global Kids offers a range of year-round programs in schools, online, and at their headquarters. They work primarily with middle school and high school youth, and also provide professional development and capacity building services for educators and institutions, and special trainings for youth.

Global Kids’ Online Leadership Program, since its inception, has been object of several Future-Making Serious Games Blog posts, e.g. GK Supports Teachers to Incorporate Serious Games in Education, GKs: Adapting A Social Media Game To Youth Education Context, among others.



Now, the National Summer Learning Association has chosen Global Kids' U.S. in the World summer program as one of the recipients of the 2011 Excellence in Summer Learning Awards. This annual award recognizes summer programs demonstrating excellence in accelerating academic achievement and promoting healthy development for young people, as measured by the Association’s Comprehensive Assessment of Summer Programs.

Global Kids started its U.S. in the World summer program in 2005 and serves 25 public high school students for three weeks each summer at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. Most of the youth come from underserved and politically marginalized New York City neighborhoods and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in American universities and many professional spheres.

Program participants gain the skills and background knowledge necessary to think critically on issues like economic policy, global health, peace and security, and human rights. Students engage in discussions with Fellows from the Council on Foreign Relations and representatives from other non-governmental agencies, and participate in workshops led by Global Kids staff.

After the three-week program, students choose a topic for the peer education project they will research, develop and present to their school during the following year. Participants from past years have completed projects on such topics as conflict minerals, nuclear proliferation, the war on terrorism, and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  Many have chosen to pursue degrees in international relations in college. 

“As the demographics of our nation change and our world becomes more interconnected, it is imperative we engage youth from underserved communities in the sophisticated exploration of global affairs and tap into all the assets they possess,” said Evie Hantzopoulos, Executive Director of Global Kids. “We are thrilled to receive the Excellence in Summer Learning Award for our unique approach to developing global citizens, community leaders, and life-long learners who are prepared for the 21st Century workplace.