University of Notre Dame and DCB Unite in Inspiring Global Citizenship

Last year, the partnership between Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) and the University of Notre Dame in shaping the future generation of global citizens was further reinforced with the visit of Dr Eva Dziadula, a Teaching Professor at the University of Notre Dame. In this piece, Ms Cat Ho, Head of the Business and Economics Department and our Senior School Global Citizenship Sustainability Lead, shared more about Dr Dziadula’s engagement with our students and in extension, our community:

On 8 December, our Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 students had the opportunity to get to know Dr Dziadula, a real-life academician, researcher and economist who has done extensive research on the Economics of demography, immigration and labour issues.

Starting off the event was an interview by Year 12 students Jessica L and Kevin S  to learn more about the life of a researcher/academician, what it means to be a Global Citizen and ways to prepare themselves now for the important work of research.

In the subsequent session, Dr Dziadula dialogued with the Humanities Year 13 students (Economics, Geography and Global Politics). She delved more deeply into her research and spoke about the use of RCTs (randomized control trials), the importance of finding causality and the ways to creatively construct research methods.

Although her time with us was short, the students were inspired by her life story and came away with a new sense of possibilities for their own academic pathways and life as Global Citizens.

Here are some of the students’ reflections on research -

• “Dr. Dziadula’s presentation at DCB highlighted the quiet yet profound impact of academic research. It's a reminder that change-makers aren't always in the limelight but often work behind the scenes, contributing to our world's progress through diligent study and exploration. Her work exemplifies how dedication to research enriches our understanding of complex global issues like child labour.”  
• “Numerous mental models are deeply ingrained in our minds, shaping our thoughts and actions. At times, it becomes crucial to explore alternative approaches and mental frameworks to truly grasp the nuances of our world.”
• “As Dr Dziadula said, infusing passion into everything you do holds significant value. While it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the myriad of issues in our world, identifying areas of genuine passion empowers us to contribute to change, one step at a time.”
• “Dr. Dziadula's approach reinforces the importance of being passionate and curious in any chosen field. This resonates with me as I navigate my own academic and career journey. It underlines the need to stay engaged and inquisitive, continually expanding our knowledge and understanding to make meaningful contributions in our respective fields.”

Students also shared how their understanding of Global Citizenship has been changed:

• “A year ago, I was uninterested in Global Citizenship. I simply assumed it was an idea that came up frequently in class. Following several activities this year and Dr. D's presentation, I gradually began to understand this concept: Global Citizenship encompasses many ideas, the most significant of which is that we are members of this international community. To be able to recognise and understand the entire world, we must take an active role in our society.”
• “A year ago, my idea of being a Global Citizen was pretty straightforward – focusing on the environment, like cutting down on plastic use. Now, it feels broader and deeper. It's about understanding the world from multiple angles, respecting different cultures, and knowing that what happens in one part of the world can affect us all. It's about being part of a larger community and playing a role in it, not just living in your own bubble.”
• “I used to believe that global citizenship was all about being sustainable and recycling everything that has plastic. Although, sustainability does play a part in being a Global Citizen, when I hear about Global Citizenship now, I understand it as being open to new ideas and taking into account different perspectives and not just your own; it’s about being able to think outside of the box and having a growth mindset.”
• “A global citizen is someone who recognizes the ongoing world issues and chooses to act upon them. It's not really just a matter of "caring about the environment" or "being sustainable". I think there is a very bad generalisation on global citizens which causes people to have a bad perspective on the phrase, but Dr Dziadula is a prime example of what a quality global citizen looks like.”

We are grateful for the partnership with the University of Notre Dame and for Dr Dzidula spending her afternoon with us. Even though her time with us was not long, the impact she had left on our community is real and palpable.

This event is a part of our DCB Worldwise Academy Speaker Series, where DCB invites professionals and leaders from diverse fields and backgrounds to share their insights and experiences with DCB students. The Worldwise Academy, an initiative by DCB, serves as a platform bridging students to the world of work. It has been honoured with the 2022 International School Awards in the Pathways to Continued and University Education category.