In order for children to have a strong and confident sense of identity they need to know and understand the heritage, customs, rituals and traditions of their own community and culture. Knowing the history and significance of events, festivals and celebrations will provide each child with the appropriate experiences and knowledge to secure their sense of belonging within their immediate community. From this secure base, children will also know about the diversity of the wider world, understanding that other cultures and societies have different customs and traditions and that being aware of these will enable their informed engagement with the global community.
This is described as ‘International Mindedness’ a view of the world in which people see themselves connected to the global community and assume a sense of responsibility to its members. It is an awareness of the inter-relatedness of all nations and peoples, and a recognition of the complexity of these relationships. Internationally-minded people appreciate and value the diversity of cultures in the world and make an effort to learn more about them.”