Page 19 - 21st Century Competencies: Foundation Document for Discussion

Competencies related to local, global, and digital citizenship enhance individuals’ ability to respond constructively in changing or challenging circumstances.
Several frameworks recognize the set of competencies that relate to students’ identity both as individuals and as members of their community, society,
and the world. Sometimes these competencies are grouped as “personal and social competency” (British Columbia Ministry of Education, 2013), “civic literacy, global awareness, and cross-cultural skills” (Singapore Ministry of Education, 2010), or “ethical citizenship” (Alberta Education, 2011). Fullan and Langworthy (2014) describe citizenship as “global knowledge, sensitivity to and respect for other cultures, [and] active involvement in addressing issues of human and environmental sustainability” (p. 22). These descriptions of citizenship highlight the importance of inclusion and respect for diversity, particularly as collaboration across international and cultural boundaries increases.
Technology is changing the shape of civic education in the 21st century. Haste (2009) describes the “bottom-up” rather than “top-down” structure
of ICT that allows an individual to become the “agent” rather than merely the “recipient” of or “participant” in knowledge, democracy, and civic action. Haste defines civic education in the 21st century as “the capacity to manage diversity, ambiguity, and uncertainty, essential for being able to engage in democracy and social progress” (p. 214).
Section Two: Defining 21st Century Competencies 17