Global citizenship is at the very core of what it means to be a leader, educator and student in the CIS community.

Embracing diversity—the understanding of and respect for the similarities and differences of a range of individuals and peoples—is a fundamental value that all CIS members have committed to actively develop through education.

And so I urge you to read my colleague Nunana Nyomi's personal and provocative piece: International education perpetuates structural racism and anti-racism is the solution. 

Nunana's personal story provides us with a powerful starting point for what we can and will do at CIS, for ourselves, the international education communities we serve, and the world at large.

The Black Lives Matter movement is a significant catalyst for change and one that we will highlight.

During the past two weeks, I have learned a lot from Nunana and from the stories of too many people who are suffering from systemic and individual racial abuse and inequality.

What has been a significant shift in thinking for me personally is that the broad umbrellas of global citizenship and intercultural understanding, while key foundational concepts for learning and development, are not enough. By assuming that racial injustice and each specific form of racial injustice is "covered" under these umbrellas, the unintended consequence is a lack of recognition and understanding of the specific ways we can and should address it. I see this now.

As we hear and learn from the personal experiences of people who are suffering from racism, we can frame the systemic and structural challenges we need to address in international education. What stories are emerging from your community?

—Jane Larsson, Executive Director | Twitter: @CISJaneLarsson
 

On the CIS Perspectives blog

International education perpetuates structural racism and anti-racism is the solution

Nunana's personal story provides us with a powerful starting point for what we can and will do at CIS for ourselves, the communities we serve, and the world at large. The Black Lives Matter movement is a significant catalyst for change and one that we will highlight. We can do better at CIS.