U21 Virtual Global Citizenship Course

Header - U21 Global Citizenship Program
Responding to the need to create virtual international opportunities for students in these times of no travel, a new U21 virtual international initiative will begin in early October 2020. With a capability to enroll up to 2,000 U21 students , the U21 Global Citizenship Course will offer students at member institutions the opportunity to work online in an international environment, develop skills and competencies needed to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and have the opportunity to meet other U21 students in real time online (read further for more details). Up to 75 places on this course will be offered to each U21 university, without cost and, students will receive a micro-credential (badge) for completing the course.

What is the course?

The Global Citizenship program is an experiential online programme which develops the skills and competencies students need to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Up to seventy-five UConn students can participate in this three-week online program together with up to two thousand peers from U21 institutions. Across nine hours of learning (three hours per week) built on the Common Purpose Open Source Leadership model, students will engage with and learn from each other and, through video content, inspire future and current senior leaders across the world. They will participate in experiential activities and exercises, complete offline tasks and reflections and work on their own individual plans to advance their Sustainable Development Goal. At the end of the program, they can earn the Global Citizenship micro-credential, demonstrating to the world that they’ve developed the skills to tackle complex global issues and stand up as leaders. The U21 Global Citizenship program is for students who want to play an active role in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and aspire to create the next generation of leaders. As a result of the programme students will be:
  • Equipped to take rapid action on their Sustainable Development Goal
  • Able to step outwards and collaborate with diverse networks
  • Ready to challenge preconceptions and better inform people’s perspectives
  • Better understand how to operate across hierarchies
  • Better prepared to live and maintain their values and integrity

Free of Charge

The program is provided at no cost to students.
   

About Common Purpose

    Common Purpose is a not-for-profit training organization founded in 1989 with considerable experience in the development of internationalization-focused courses (both online and face-to-face) for both students and staff across the world. After considerable consultation with those who have worked with them in the past (including U21 members), U21 has chosen them as a training partner for this initiative. Working with Common Purpose allows U21 to fund and deliver this initiative to the benefit of a much greater number of students across our whole network in a way that would not have been possible trying to develop it ‘in-house’ with one or more members.

    How is the course run?

      The course will be majority asynchronous, allowing students to discuss and learn together across time zones, but will also include opportunities to interact in real time with other U21 students live via video conference, developing ideas together and reflecting on learning in smaller groups at the end of each week. Students who complete the course and the assessment will receive a micro-credential that can be attached to their LinkedIn and other social media. Upon completing the course, students will also eligible to become part of the Common Purpose alumni and take part in offers for this group. 

      Application Instructions

        To apply for this program:
        1. Please click the Apply Now link at the top right of this section, where you will be taken to the Terra Dotta landing page, with another Apply Now button.
        2. Log in using your UConn NetID.
        3. Select "Fall 2020" for the application term.
        4. Under "Itinerary", you should select the following dates: 10/5/20 to 10/23/20.
        5. Also under "Itinerary", please input "Storrs, United States, North America".
        6. Complete the two required essays.
        7. Click the "Submit Your Application" button.

        Important Dates

        • September 20, 2020 - Student Registrations Close
        • September 23, 2020 - Student Commitment Deadline
        • October 5 - 23, 2020 - Course takes place
        • October 30, 2020 - Final deadline of submission of assignments to gain micro-credential