"Think | GLOBALLY
ACT | Locally"
About the program...
COLLABORATE, CREATE, EXECUTE
Community Theme Project
A team of five Newton South students begins in the spring or fall of the proceeding school year, by thinking in depth about the upcoming UNESCO conference theme. Following the UNESCO motto of "think globally, act locally" the team starts by analyzing the causes that contribute to the theme and existing obstacles to possible solutions through a global lens. With this perspective in mind, they then ask themselves how they can take the first step towards positive change locally. From here, they collaborate to create, propose, plan, execute and document a project to take place right in their home community. Once completed, the team puts together a summary of their experience and the impact the project had on their community to take with them to the UNESCO Conference in January.
EXPLORE, EXPERIENCE, INTERACT
Portugal Tour
In addition to the conference, the South UNESCO team takes a six to eight day customized, insider tour of different regions of Portugal. Each year careful consideration is taken to pair in country locations with the conference theme. Students visit national landmarks, museums, historical sites and more. They also get to participate in hands-on cultural experiences! Since 2017, participants have visited over 19 different major cities in Portugal.
PRESENT, PERSPECTIVE, CONNECT
UNESCO Conference for Young Scientists
In January, the NSHS team attends the three day annual International Conference for Youth Scientist for UNESCO Associated Schools in Santarém, Portugal. Students from 15+ schools from 7+ different countries come together for a 3 day conference where the year's conference theme is further explored. After opening ceremonies, each participating school shares a summary presentation of their community project. Students then join breakout groups made up of members from different participating schools. Each multinational group comes together to discuss the unique perspectives brought to light by the collective projects and draws global trends and conclusions which they then share in a large group reflections session. One or more expert keynote speakers, working in a profession related to the conference theme, address all students allowing them to get a first hand account of the real world impact of the theme and offering them insight into potential future career opportunities.
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The host school provides many cultural and historical activities for the visiting students throughout the conference including musical performances, traditional Portuguese games, art displays, food tastings, concerts and a student lead tour of their hometown, Santarém, Portugal. Each year the conference leaders also coordinate a day trip excursion, in a different region of Portugal, for all participating schools that centers around that year's conference theme.
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DOCUMENT, SHARE, INFORM
Experience Journal
From day one, the UNESCO team is tasked with documenting their entire experience, including meetings to create their project proposal, project implementation days, their adventures during their exploration of Portugal and, of course, their time at the conference. After returning from Portugal, the UNESCO team works together to edit and put together a journal video chronicling their entire experience from start to finish. This video is shared with all the students at Newton South, giving the school community an insider look at how they have grown as a result of this experience.