J8 and G8: join the global debate
The world's attention will focus on Scotland in July when the leaders of the most powerful nations assemble at Gleneagles for the G8 summit.
The prime ministers, presidents and chancellors of Japan, the USA, Germany, the UK, Italy, Canada and Russia will be at the Summit from 6-8 July to discuss Africa and Climate Change.
There are lots of excellent resources and information for schools covering these issues and we have included some of them here. It is not an exhaustive list but hopefully a starting point.
The J8 Summit
The J8 website
On the 3-6 July in Edinburgh, the J8 Summit for young people will be debating the very same issues and issuing its own joint Communique.
This will be presented to the leaders of the G8 countries to demonstrate how young people in Britain want to see the future developing.
Eight school groups who entered the J8 competition, including two from Scotland: Waid Academy in Anstruther and Wallace High School in Stirling, have been invited to take part in the J8 summit.
J8 is the first global citizenship initiative of its kind for secondary schools in the UK. It uses the G8 summit as a framework to investigate global issues such as international development, trade, climate change and health.
The J8 website is designed for 13 to 19 years olds and has information about the background and history of the Summit and the G8 nations.
Free J8 resource pack
A free resource pack is available on the J8 website for Scottish secondary teachers.
It covers the major topics such as debt relief for developing nations, sustainable development, free trade and poverty. Case studies from the UK examine some of the issues in more depth – for example, one looks at how Climate Change will affect Scotland.
It can be used in various subjects, particularly Modern Studies and Geography, in cross-curricular approaches and to support pupil participation in school and community-based projects. But its use will extend far beyond the G8 meeting.
Make Poverty History information and resources
Schools section of the Make Poverty History website
Make Poverty History is a coalition of organisations and individuals calling for trade justice, dropping the debt and more and better aid to developing countries.
One of its aims is to educate and inform young people about these issues and give them an opportunity to have their voices heard.
They have a section for schools offering resources and lesson plans (ages 10-16) for a variety of subjects to help pupils critically engage with the concept of the G8, as well as the themes of Africa and Climate Change.
Global Campaign for Education
Children throughout the UK are making cut-out figures, known as 'buddies', to represent some of the 100 million children worldwide who receive no education.
Buddies can be simple or creative, any size from A4 to life size. The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) plans to present a million buddies to the leaders at the G8 summit in July.
The GCE brings together major NGOs and teachers' unions in over 150 countries around the world.
ActionAid: Resources on Africa
This website has video clips, games and information on Ethiopia and Kenya as well as information on Aids/HIV and ActionAid's education work in Africa.
Background information
UN Millennium Development Goals
By the year 2015, all 191 United Nations Member States have pledged to meet eight goals which include the eradication of poverty, universal primary education and promoting gender equality. This is a succinct website that details the goals and progress made.
Change the World in 8 Steps
A set of posters and activities for 7-14 year olds investigating the UN Millennium Goals is available from Oxfam. Copies can be downloaded and printed.
Websites for young people
CBBC Newsround's Guide to the G8
Comprehensive information for young people on what the G8 is, who attends, what happens at the summit and some ideas on why people protest.
Oxfam's Cool Planet for young people
Explanation of some of the issues behind the Make Poverty History Campaign and why they are so important.
Send your message to Tony Blair
The UNICEF website has an online form for young people to send their messages directly to Tony Blair.