Written by Ms. Mona Wazzi, NAIS Pudong

In a world where the pursuit of social change often takes a backseat to physical appearance and virtue signalling, it is refreshing to witness the genuine commitment of Generation Z (Gen Z) towards making a difference.

As the Social Impact Lead at a NAIS Pudong, I am inspired by the passion and drive exhibited by our students as they actively strive to minimise their impact on the environment and engage in social and political causes. 

I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed in Zofia Niemtus’ article Social Purpose: Real World Value or Virtue Signalling? which can be found in the brand new Nord Anglia Education INSIGHTS digital magazine (original article can be found by clicking 'Read More' below).  It is crucial that we not only teach children about making a difference but also provide them with meaningful opportunities to engage in social impact initiatives.

Education for social impact is not just a buzzword; it is a transformative force that equips our students with the tools they need to become change-makers in our world.

The article highlights the growing interest among Gen Z in actively minimising their impact on the environment and being involved in social and political causes. This aligns perfectly with our mission to develop creative, confident, and considerate learners. At NAIS Pudong, we are proud to be working on projects that equip our students with the skills and resources to amplify their voices and make a local and global impact.

Cooperation with UNICEF

In honour of World Children's Day, our school has embarked on a series of community projects, each assigned to different year groups. Our goal? To raise awareness about pressing issues and create a positive impact right here in our community.

One of our remarkable projects focuses on winter clothing accessibility; we aim to ensure that everyone in our community has access to warm clothing. To turn their ideas into reality, we have initiated a heartfelt campaign to collect winter clothing items such as coats, hats, and gloves for those in need. Together, we can provide warmth and shed light on the pervasive issues of poverty and inequality.

Moreover, the Niemtus article emphasises the link between social impact and mental health. When students feel a sense of efficacy and engagement with the world around them, they are more likely to experience positive mental well-being. By instilling in our students a sense of empowerment and the belief that they can make a difference, we are not only shaping their understanding of the world but also promoting their overall mental health.

Furthermore, our students are determined to assess the accessibility of our school for individuals with disabilities. They are conducting thorough evaluations across various areas within our campus to identify potential challenges faced by individuals with different disabilities in their daily activities. This assessment will guide us in developing a proposal outlining recommendations to enhance the accessibility of our school environment. Together, we aim to create an inclusive space where every individual can thrive and succeed.

The success stories of Kisum Chan and Rice Inc further highlight the importance of fostering an environment that encourages students to think outside the box and champion their own destinies. By providing opportunities for students to work on projects they care about, we are nurturing their passion for social impact and equipping them with the skills necessary to create meaningful change.

Through these diverse community projects, NAIS Pudong is nurturing a sense of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility within our students. They are not just passive recipients of knowledge but active agents of change. By actively participating in these projects, they develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by our society and the importance of collective action. Together, we can create a brighter future for all!

Education for social impact is not just about appearances or virtue signalling; it is about equipping our students with the tools they need to become active global citizens. At NAIS Pudong, we are committed to developing creative, confident, and considerate learners who are prepared to tackle real-world challenges. By investing in social impact projects and fostering a sense of social purpose, we are preparing our students for success in all aspects of life, be it in their future careers, families, or as responsible members of society.

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作者：Mona Wazzi老师, NAIS Pudong

在一个社会变革的追求常常被外表和虚伪表态所抛在后头的世界里，看到Z世代（Gen Z）对创造影响力的真心承诺，令人耳目一新。

作为NAIS Pudong的社会影响科目负责人，我为我们的学生表现出的激情和动力感到鼓舞，因为他们积极努力减少对自然环境的影响，并参与社会和政治事务。

我完全同意Zofia Niemtus在她的文章《社会目标：现实世界的价值还是虚伪表态？》中表达的观点，该文章可以在全新的诺德安达教育INSIGHTS数字杂志中找到（点击下方“阅读全文”即可浏览）。我们不仅要教育孩子们如何产生影响，还要为他们提供参与社会影响计划的有意义的机会。社会影响教育不仅仅是一个时髦词汇；它是一种变革性力量，赋予我们的学生成为世界变革者所需的工具。

该文章强调了Z世代在积极减少对环境的影响以及参与社会和政治事务方面日益增长的兴趣。这与我们的使命完美契合，即培养有创造力、自信和体谅心的学习者。在NAIS Pudong，我们自豪地致力于开展各种项目，为学生提供技能和资源，以放大他们的声音，并在本地和全球产生影响。

与联合国儿童基金会合作

为了庆祝世界儿童节，我们学校启动了一系列社区项目，分配给不同年级的学生。我们的目标是增加对紧迫问题的认识，并在我们的社区中产生积极影响。

我们其中一个卓越的项目是关注社区冬季服装的获取；我们的目标是确保我们社区的每个人都能获得温暖的衣物。为了将他们的想法变为现实，我们发起了一场运动，收集冬季衣物，如外套、帽子和手套，提供给有需要的人。共同努力，我们可以给予温暖，为贫困和不平等问题做出一点改变。

此外，Niemtus的文章强调了社会影响与心理健康之间的联系。当学生能体验到对周围世界产生影响时，他们更有可能体验到积极的心理感受。通过灌输给学生赋权感和他们能够产生影响的信念，我们不仅塑造了他们对世界的理解，也促进了他们整体的心理健康。

我们的学生还决定评估学校对残障人士的无障碍程度。他们正在对校园内的各个区域进行彻底排查，以确定残疾人在日常活动中可能面临的潜在挑战。这一评估将指导我们制定一份提高学校环境无障碍性的建议书。共同努力，我们的目标是创造一个每个人都能茁壮成长和成功的包容性空间。

Kisum Chan和Rice Inc的成功故事进一步突显了鼓励学生跳出固有思维并引领自己命运的重要性。通过为学生提供参与他们关心的项目的机会，我们培养了他们对社会影响的激情，并为他们提供了创造有意义变革所需的技能。

通过这些多样化的社区项目，NAIS Pudong正在培养我们的学生对同理心、同情心和社会责任心的认识。他们不仅是知识的被动接收者，更是变革的积极推动者。通过积极参与这些项目，他们深入了解我们社会面临的挑战以及集体行动的重要性。共同努力，我们可以为所有人创造一个更加美好的未来！

社会影响教育不仅仅是外表或虚伪表态；它是为我们的学生提供成为积极的全球公民所需工具的一种方式。在NAIS Pudong，我们致力于培养有创造力、自信和体贴的学习者，他们准备好应对现实世界的各种挑战。通过投资社会影响项目和培养社会责任感，我们正在为我们的学生在生活的各个方面——无论是在未来的职业、家庭还是作为社会的负责任的一员——做好成功的准备。