Shaping Global Citizens: Friends Seminary's Commitment to Intercultural Education

Global education cultivates the knowledge, skills, and empathy required to understand multiple perspectives and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. A true global citizen actively works to promote the common good on local, national, and international levels. At Friends Seminary, students are embracing this responsibility through participation in global dialogues that foster meaningful connections and learning experiences with peers across the world.

Friends Seminary students Jane ‘25, Bode ‘26, Meera ‘26, and Sebastien ‘28 have taken on leadership roles as moderators for these discussions both independently and through the GEBG Global Student Dialogues Program. Notably, Meera ‘26 also served last year on the GEBG Student Advisory Council, reinforcing Friends Seminary's commitment to student leadership in global education. This core group of students continues to carry this practice forward, selecting discussion topics, formulating queries, and facilitating breakout sessions. Their goal is to create a space where every student is heard and where they can learn from peers in different parts of the world about how these topics impact their lives. The experience of opening up to others and finding common ground, despite geographic and cultural differences, has been deeply rewarding for participants.

Recognizing the importance of sustaining these dialogues, Friends Seminary has taken proactive steps to ensure their continuation. By inviting fellow Quaker schools—including Penn Charter, George School, Friends Academy, Mary McDowell Friends, and Brooklyn Friends—Friends Seminary has committed to keeping these discussions ongoing, even after the expiration of the E.E. Ford Foundation’s two-year grant. The collaborative efforts of these schools demonstrate a shared dedication to intercultural dialogue, reinforcing the belief that education should not only prepare students to engage in the world as it is but also empower them to shape the world as it ought to be.

Earlier this academic year, Friends hosted a discussion titled “Processing the 2024 Election Through the Lens of our Quaker Values.” This session focused on key Quaker principles, such as recognizing the Light in everyone, active listening, and shared experiences. It provided a space for students to reflect on a pivotal political moment through a lens of peace and understanding.

Furthering this commitment, Friends Seminary aligned with GEBG to launch Peace Week with an additional dialogue event, bringing in new facilitators to enrich the conversation. During Peace Week, in honor of the theme "Growing Together Through Silence and Dialogue," Friends Seminary and GEBG hosted an intercultural discussion titled "Navigating School Life: The Impact of Gender Identity on Opportunities and Experiences." This event was facilitated by student moderators alongside members of the DEB Committee, creating a meaningful platform for conversations around identity, equity, and inclusion.

Looking ahead, Friends has set ambitious goals to expand these efforts. Plans are underway for Upper School students to host a GEBG Dialogue specifically for Middle School students, extending an invitation to other Quaker schools to join. By broadening the reach of these discussions, Friends Seminary is reinforcing its mission to nurture global citizens who are thoughtful, informed, and committed to justice.

The Global Education Benchmark Group (GEBG) is a leading non-profit association of K-12 schools dedicated to researching and establishing best practices in global education. GEBG supports member schools in integrating global perspectives, issues, and competencies into their curricula, equipping students with the skills and tenacity to navigate a culturally diverse and interconnected world. Their approach to global citizenship encourages both faculty and students to take meaningful action toward justice at every level—locally, nationally, and internationally. As a community, they remain committed to fostering a more just and equitable world, both today and in the future.

Kara Kutner, Director of the Center for Peace, Equity, and Justice, has served as a moderator, bringing her extensive experience as a former member of the Educator Advisory Council. This advisory group of leading educators has developed curricular materials designed to inspire students to become engaged global citizens.