Join the Conversation

Join The Conversation

Sometimes, just sometimes life begins to resemble a B Grade movie. You know, the ones where an innocuous by line lost in a newspaper report, explodes into a world changing event leading to a dystopian, zombie apocalypse. The hero/ine rides in on a Harley or helicopter, with well placed smudges and attractive dishevelment and saves the world from ruin... I'm sure that you get the picture. Well, while exploring the SDGs and trying to get schools on board, global issues that were significant enough to engage everyone in meaningful dialogue, suddenly became dwarfed by circumstance. Students were beginning to look at important issues that might have felt a little remote to them. Now SDG 3 is no longer a remote consideration since Covid 19 has evolved into a pandemic which we are all currently confronting. Few lives are untouched by the changes that are unfolding in our daily routines and relationships, but that doesn't mean that we lose track of those things that help life make sense.

Today we aren't craning our necks looking for external heroes. We recognise that they are right here in our communities and that their stories need to be told and we as teachers with young writers around the world are well placed to tell them. From the services, medicos and carers, to those working relentlessly to discover a cure; strategies to manage co-ordinating the traffic and care of people confirmed with the virus, and the rare but wise and wonderful leaders who advocate calm and patience (and yes there are some such as the PM of Singapore), people are stepping up and stepping out of their comfort zones to put the welfare of others before their own. 

Positive psychology has research which backs the contention that remaining calm and a positive 'can do' perspective, not only eases any sense of panic but also increases our immune systems. Being proactive and informed is important. This is where this project may prove helpful, particularly in situations where learning is being conducted remotely.

We also understand that this health issue touches upon so many of the SDGs and is far more immediate an experience than we ever anticipated at the beginning of this project. However, where we may have shared some sustainable development issues in clusters of countries, this current situation provides us with a shared experience; one which means that our young writers have their shared experience to draw upon. Not to diminish the awful impact and socially disruptive nature of this health issue, the ASEF Writing /Blogging Project: Writing our Way To A Better World, allows young people a place to share their stories and understanding of current events. Yes they can draw upon SDG 3 Health and Well Being as their stimulus, but this health issue is having an impact upon many of the other SDGs and blogging about it and the impact it is having upon some of them may be the pressure valve our students need to help retain a balanced perspective. To advocate, inform, diarise, support and write factual objective reports, articles, poetry and prose provides a place to process the negative scare mongering, hype and hyperbole. The cartoon above that I created for the project seems inane now but the concept of creating cartoons to share stories and to help younger students understand the issues we are currently confronting, may be useful. Book Creator is another tool that may prove to be a good collaborative tool to be used remotely. Writing, sharing, speaking and responding to the words of others is a life-giving experience. Have your students go to Write the World and respond to the group prompts and competitions; have them participate in Flipgrid video exchanges and more importantly, have them advocate and engage.

Please encourage your writers to engage in the writing process, as much for themselves as for their understanding of global issues.

The prayer below was shared on social media and I think speaks beyond religious boundaries. As we wake to ever shifting conditions, it gives us a moment to pause. Go gently into your week and weekend and know that Maria and I are keeping the project rolling and understand that you do have other imperatives that might keep you busy or only able to participate sporadically.