Teachers' Notes

Welcome to Global Eye News (GEN), an online resource based on Global Eye, the termly magazine about world development written by Worldaware for the Department for International Development (DFID). This is the second online edition, based on Issue 12 of the magazine. The first online edition (issue 11) can be selected and viewed from the start up screen if required. The archive section contains pdf files for issues 1 - 10 of the magazine plus teachers' notes and activity sheets, all of which can be printed out. Either click on the issue you require or search the archive index for what you need. We will be tidying up the archive during the summer months so that you can access each issue plus the associated activity sheets and teachers' notes more easily.

Global Eye News is not just an online version of the magazine. Although each edition will contain all the main features of the magazine, there will also be additional information, photographs, maps, data and interactive features. Talkboards, workshops, curriculum projects and ask-an-expert opportunities are just some of these. There is also space for students and teachers to send in work, ideas and share good practice on aspects of world development, developing countries and development issues.

As Global Eye News grows and develops we aim to respond positively to your suggestions and ideas. Take part in the talkboards and use the workshops and curriculum projects with your students. Tell us what you and your school are doing to raise awareness about world development, whether as part of the curriculum or via links you may have with developing countries. Let is know which countries and topics you would like to see feature in the future. We want to hear from you and your students. The different sections of Global Eye News follow that of the magazine and are based on the following main features from issue 12:

  • News the launch of GEN at BETT 2000 in January 2000 plus news about the Geographical Association Awards
  • Eye on ... profiles Sri Lanka, including general information, maps, data and case studies
  • On Camera ... images from the developing world. Cocoa farming in West Africa, to help illustrate the feature on sustainable development / agriculture in 'Focus On..'
  • Focus on ... features sustainable development, including definitions and a range case studies
  • Development Awareness in Action ... reports on a wide range of action taking place between the UK and developing countries, from work in individual schools to that of national or international groups. In this edition we feature Amanda Murphy and the work of her company in Tamil Nadu, Southern India.

Additional GEN features:

  • Interact - Competition/quiz for students and ICT curriculum project
  • Archive - Issues 1 - 10 of Global Eye magazine
  • Archive Teachers' Notes - Issues 1 - 10 of Global Eye magazine plus associated activity sheets

Global Eye News Summer Term 2000

The following notes are intended as an additional guide to teachers about the content and possible use of the different sections of GEN. References are also given to additional resources or web sites which may be of use.

News:

Global Eye News (GEN) web site launch

News about the successful launch of Global Eye News at the BETT 2000 ICT Show at Olympia in January, including excerpts from the speeches made by George Foulkes, M.P., Parliamentary Under Secretary for State (DFID) and His Excellency Laleshwar Singh, Guyanan High Commissioner.

Geographical Awards

Worldaware is extremely pleased to announce that the three Global Eye magazines, Issues 8, 9 and 10, received a 'Highly Commended' Certificate as part of the Geographical Association's Awards for 1999, presented during the GA's Annual Conference in Birmingham in mid April. Awards are made to resources which are judged as 'likely to make a significant contribution to geography'. The accompanying citation included the following:

'Global Eye is a widely used magazine addressing important issues in a lively and imaginative way. It is well used by teachers and is highly regarded because it provides excellent insight into development issues and is up to date.

It provides a very good balance between geographical and other perspectives on development with very high quality materials on all fronts. In particular, it has very good attractive graphic design with large uncluttered maps and diagrams. Photographs are used effectively both to inform and to cause discussion and enquiry through the use of strong images. The text is very well edited to encompass the detail without being over-elaborate, and is a good balance between journalistic verve and academic rigour. There are few publications that focus on solely development issues and this single aim leads to an uncluttered straightforward style with clarity of purpose.

It is a fitting tribute to Vincent Bunce, whose untimely death occurred this last year, that the publication which he had the vision and hard work to set up, should be awarded this prize.'

The Geographical Association

DFID, who fund Global Eye magazine (and Global Eye News), also received a certificate and sent the following message to the Geographical Association:

'The Department for International Development is very pleased to have been awarded this 'Highly Commended Certificate' from The Geographical Association. The eradication of absolute poverty from the world is the greatest moral challenge facing us today. It is a challenge which can be met. But that means sharing the challenge of poverty eradication much more widely, and raising awareness of its importance for all of us. One of our priority areas is the formal education system. Every child needs to be educated about development issues, so that they can understand the key global considerations which shape their lives. One of our objectives is to ensure provision of good quality materials and resources to facilitate teaching in schools and for the last few years, we have sponsored the publication of 'Global Eye'. This has become, in a short time, a highly successful magazine for secondary schools, with a circulation of over 90,000 copies per edition. Its biggest tribute is that it is actually being used by so many teachers, and in support of the national curriculum.

Worldaware produces the magazine and we are delighted with their contribution. The association which DFID has with Worldaware goes back a long way, and we have further extended our support for the Global Eye magazine, including a new internet version, for the next two years. Our congratulations goes to everyone involved in its publication.'

Information Department, Department for International Development

Eye on ... Sri Lanka

Introduction: includes maps showing Sri Lanka's location in relation to the UK, plus a more detailed map of the country. There is a brief written introduction and a number of photographs, plus a datafile containing a range of indicators for both Sri Lanka and the UK. Lists of imports, exports and main industries, plus figures for land use and employment are also given.

The Land: briefly describes and illustrates the distinct physical differences between the north and south of the country.

The Climate: temperatures are warm all year throughout Sri Lanka, but rainfall distribution varies according to the timing of the monsoon seasons. Climate graphs are drawn for Colombo and climate data given for Jaffna and Kandy.

The People: civil war has caused major problems in Sri Lanka for almost 20 years, but divisions between the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamils go back much further. There is a detailed and complex history of events and disputes - a short summary is given here. At the time of writing there has been continuing problems in the north around Jaffna, with the Sri Lankan government seeking outside support. For up to date information a search of some of the main newspapers or news sites is recommended e.g. http://news.bbc.co.uk Go to this, the first page of the BBC's news service, and search for Sri Lanka.

Figures are given in this section for both ethnic and religious groups.

The Economy: civil war has had a major impact on Sri Lanka's economy, but progress is being made as the country moves away from the dominance of plantation crops (tea, rubber, coconuts) to manufacturing industry (especially textiles) and tertiary industry (tourism).

Case Study: Tea production and the Hapugastenne Estate

This is a case study about one of the country's largest tea estates, the Hapugastenne Estate near Ratnapura. It begins with a general introduction to the tea industry in Sri Lanka before looking at the estate and how the crop is handled from picking to packing. A brief datafile lists essential information. Plans for future developments are also outlined.

For more information about the tea industry in general look at the Tea Council web site http://www.teacouncil.co.uk/ The most useful sections to build on the Hapugastenne case study are 'Plantation to Cup' (in the 'Tea Information' section) and a short section on tea in Sri Lanka (search via 'Sri Lanka').

Sri Lanka - general web sites:

  • Commonwealth Institute
    Brief country information in the Schools Programme section

  • Lonely Planet guide

  • CIA world fact book
    general information and detailed statistics/data

  • Official Tourist Board Site
    (PROFILE section is probably of most general geographical use)

  • Daily News (in English)

  • Spotlight on Sri Lanka
    Infoscope newsclippings service using worldwide newspaper sources; excellent for current news/information

Focus On ... Sustainable Development

Introduction
Sustainable Development is the main feature of this edition of GEN. It begins with an outline of the case studies, sustainable cocoa farming in West Africa and the CAMPFIRE project in Zimbabwe. It also lists useful web sites.

Useful web sites

  • The UN site on sustainable development
    contains a range of information on the topic, including a comprehensive section on Agenda 21.

  • DETR
    booklet on "A Voluntary code of Practice, supporting sustainable development through educational resources."

Definitions looks at various definitions of sustainable development; the Rio Earth Summit and Agenda 21.

Sustainable agriculture
Cocoa farming

A world map shows where cocoa is grown today and the text gives a very brief history of cocoa farming from the earliest use of cocoa beans through to chocolate production and cocoa farming today. There is a report on the International Workshop for the cocoa community which was held in Panama in 1998.

Cocoa farming in West Africa 70% of the world's cocoa is grown in West Africa. A map shows the location of the main countries and a per chart shows world cocoa bean production by country.

Case Study: Cameroon

This case study looks at how cocoa trees are being grown within the forests layers in Cameroon, a sustainable system called agroforestry. It explains the benefits of this type of cocoa growing and some of the problems e.g. pests and diseases farmers are trying to overcome.

Case Study: Cote D'Ivoire

A more detailed case study than that for Cameroon, the Cote D'Ivoire is the world's leading cocoa bean producer. The study looks at the pressure on land and how a major project (PROSTAB) is trying to improve farming practices and livelihoods in parts of the country. In particular it looks at the planting of legume trees to protect cocoa trees and to improve productivity. PROSTAB offers a range of services and help to farmers and local communities, from the selling of legume trees through to financial advice and the maintenance of demonstration farm plots. The case study finishes with a look at what is beginning to happen as chocolate companies work with PROSTAB to improve the quality of the cocoa beans produced - and the income and therefore lives of cocoa farmers.

The Cote d'Ivoire Embassy in Washington, USA has a useful web site. The section on the economy is both clear and informative

Cocoa - useful web sites

  • Chocolate Information Centre (CIC)
    Good information for students under the section 'from cocoa trees to chocolate' including history, beans to bars and chocolate and the environment.

  • International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO)
    A comprehensive site looking at cocoa and chocolate worldwide. Good statistics and question and answer sections, plus links to other useful sites.

Sustainable development: Managing Wildlife Resources
CAMPFIRE project, Zimbabwe

Unlike some African countries, Zimbabwe's elephant population has prospered to such an extent that numbers increased from 46,000 to 64,000 between 1980 and 1990. CAMPFIRE (Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources) seeks to help local communities manage wildlife sustainably and raise money, principally by selling hunting quotas. Quotas are strictly set and applied and much of the income raised is used to build community facilities such as schools, clinics, roads and wells. Villagers who once killed wildlife, especially elephants, are now actively engaged in protecting them as a method of earning money for themselves and their communities. It is an interesting and thought-provoking project addressing a number of important issues, and is useful for stimulating debate about sustainability.

Useful web sites:

  • CAMPFIRE
    A comprehensive site explaining the work of CAMPFIRE from its general aims to individual projects.

NB The Spring edition of GEN featured the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, available from the opening screen. Their web site is at www.sdnp.org.gy/iwokrama/

On Camera

... shows a sequence of five images of cocoa farming in West Africa, from pods ripening on the tree through to harvesting, splitting, fermentation and drying. This also helps illustrate the part of the 'Focus On' section dealing with sustainable agriculture.

Each photograph also has a brief accompanying section of text describing the separate stages of the process. Students could make simple line drawings of each of the five photos, using the text to help supply information for annotations. Alternatively a flow chart could be constructed to illustrate and explain the different stages.

As an extension exercise students could continue their research to look at how the cocoa beans are then processed to make chocolate. This research could be undertaken as an internet project, with the resulting research used to continue either with the sequence of annotated diagrams or flow chart.

Useful web sites:

Development Awareness In Action

The story about Amanda Murphy and Teddy Exports could easily have been included in the sustainable development section, but it is also an excellent example of development awareness in action. In ten years Amanda's company, located in the village of Tirumangalam in Tamil Nadu state, southern India, has grown from a small business employing 5 people to a thriving export company employing over 300 people. In addition to paying good wages and providing a range of other benefits (meals, health care, loans), profits from the company are used to run the Teddy Trust. The Trust has built a school, a clinic and a model farm. It also runs an important HIV/Aids awareness project and holds vetinerary camps in the local area. Amanda explains her views about how business, not aid, is the way forward for many such communities.

If you want more information about Teddy Exports or would like to ask Amanda about her work, please use the talkboard in this section of the web site.

News Update

A summary of the causes and effects of the recent devastating floods in Mozambique. Like many natural disasters, following initial widespread reporting on the television, radio and in newspapers, the 'story' has almost disappeared - yet rebuilding the country and economy will take years.

Useful web sites:

  • http://www.reliefweb.int/
    a comprehensive site looking at current UN projects for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). It contains detailed information about current and recent emergencies and natural disasters, including Mozambique.

  • http://news.bbc.co.uk
    front page of the BBC news online service - type in Mozambique in the search option

Competition

There are two competitions in this section. The first is the same competition which appears in the Teachers' Notes for Global Eye magazine. Students will need to read through he main features very carefully to find the answers to the word grid, revealing the 12 letter name of a place featured in GEN. This is not an interactive page - students need to print it off, complete it and post it to:

The Editor,
Global Eye Quiz 12,
Worldaware,
31-35 Kirby Street,
London EC1N 8TE.

Closing date for entries is July 14th 2000.

Prizes for winners can be chosen from a selection of CD-rom titles or books. Please note that entries are restricted to students attending UK schools, so school details (name, address, telephone number) are required.

The second competition is an ICT curriculum project where students are asked to design a leaflet for primary school students about tea or coffee production. The project is intended for use in schools with groups of students but can be undertaken by individual students at home. The school prize is a digital camera.

ICT PROJECT

This piece of ICT work can be carried out:

  • in school, used by a teacher as part of a lesson / homework
  • by individual students or by groups of up to 4 students
  • supervised by a teacher in school or carried out by students at home

The project is designed mainly for Key Stage 3 students (Years 7, 8 & 9), but older or younger students may enter. Winning entries will be displayed on the GEN web site

Two major commodities - tea and cocoa - are featured in this edition of GEN. 'Eye on...' looks at the tea industry in Sri Lanka and the work of the Hapugastenne Estate. 'Focus on...' includes information on cocoa farming as part of its look at sustainable development. To complete this ICT brief students have to:

  • design a leaflet describing and illustrating how either tea or coffee is grown and processed, from plant to finished product
  • make sure the leaflet is a minimum of one or maximum of two folded sheets of A4
  • design the leaflet for Year 6 (primary) students, using suitable text and images
  • use a desk top publishing and/or word processing package to produce the leaflet
  • show evidence of personal research (list the sources used on the entry form)
  • make sure the leaflet is clear and well designed, containing a range of text and visual material e.g. photos, maps, diagrams
  • remember that it must be their work, based on research - not just copied text and images! Think about adding labels to explain any images used and adapting text so that Year 6 pupils can understand it easily.

The next edition of GEN in September will have a new primary school section - design and produce the leaflet so we could display it for primary school pupils to see and use.

The winning entry (judged by the editor of Global Eye) will be published on the GEN web site. If the entry is submitted on behalf of a school, the school department concerned will win a digital camera and the student(s) will choose an individual prize from a range of CD ROMs or books.

If the winning entry is from a student (or students) working outside school and submitting a personal entry, the winner(s) will choose an individual prize from a range of CD ROMs or books.

The editor may award more than one prize should entries be of a very high standard.

CREDITS

Written and edited by: Olly Phillipson

Contributions and assistance from:
Richard Muir (James Finlay plc); Sue D'Arcy and Dr. Martin Gilmour (Mars Confectionery UK); Amanda Murphy (Teddy Exports); The Body Shop.

We would like to thank Mars Confectionery for their sponsorship and help in producing the cocoa farming sections of the "Focus on..' feature on sustainable development and 'On camera'.

Photos: Panos Pictures; James Finlay plc; John Goodman; Mars Chocolate Photo Library; The Body Shop.

Illustrations by Wave 01424 715754

Web site designers: Actis

Global Eye News (GEN) is based on Global Eye, a termly magazine for secondary school students about world development. It is written and produced by Worldaware for the Department for International Development (DFID). The views expressed in it do not necessarily reflect the policies of either the UK government or Worldaware. Every UK secondary school is sent a free copy of each issue of the magazine plus Teacher's Notes. Schools may request a set of 30 copies of each issue on request to: Worldaware, 31-35 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TE. Tel: 020 - 8831- 3844; fax: 020 - 8831-1746

Worldaware email [email protected]
Worldaware web site address http://www.worldaware.org.uk

Global Eye News (GEN) web site address http://www.globaleye.org.uk
Global Eye News (GEN) email address [email protected]