Global Kinship is based on the wealth of experience gained though our eighteen year link with a remote rainforest people in Papua New Guinea.

The aim is to enrich both partners' worlds through a deepening of environmental and cultural understanding and repect. The long term vision is for a global network of communities linked through their passion and commitment to environmental protection and repair.

Global Kinship is included in the Code of Practice for our Community-owned Woodlands scheme. Each woodland group is encouraged to establish its own overseas link.

What is special about Global Kinship?

Since the 1970s there has been a growing UK-wide movement of villages, towns, churches, schools and local authorities establishing links with partners overseas. These links are usually based on the exchange of experience, views and information. Green Light’s approach to global partnering shares these objectives as well as encouraging an emphasis on four additional elements:

The environmental focus – the fundamental importance of the natural world is a knowledge shared by all indigenous peoples. It provides a powerful focus for communication beyond the divisions of race, religion and politics.

Inclusivity – Communities from all countries and regions are welcomed, including the world’s trouble spots where the need for cross-cultural respect and understanding is at its most crucial.

Longevity – firm foundations are built and links are developed, with sustainability in mind, to span generations and increase trust and learning year by year.

Concern for travel – the damaging effect of air travel is taken into account. Can a partner be visited by land or sea? How much can be achieved without visiting? Reciprocal visits between Green Light and our PNG partners are now made only very occasionally and we rely more and more on letters, pictures and photo's.

What are the benefits?

COMMUNITY BENEFITS
Global Kinship adds a whole new dimension of interest, vibrancy and awareness to a local project and its wider community. It can attract new members, provide life-long learning and enrich project celebrations and events.

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
Global Kinship provides a dynamic opportunity for pupils at all Key Stages to explore Citizenship and Education for Sustainable Development through mutual learning with a real-life partner. It also fulfils the government’s guidelines for overseas partnering.

GLOBAL BENEFITS
"I can’t over estimate the value of global partnering at grass roots level. It provides an important force towards greater cross cultural awareness, international understanding – and yes, world peace.”

Lord Judd, ex-Director General, Oxfam

How does it work?

Green Light provides a Global Kinship introduction to all community groups engaged in the Community-owned Woodlands scheme. Guidance is offered in choosing and establishing a link. Support documents are included in the Steering Group Toolkit and a folder entitled ‘Global Kinship Made Simple’ is offered to the local schools.

Throughout the linking process, the Green Light Woodland Leader is available for guidance and support.

Green Light Trust is a member of UKOWLA (UK One World Linking Association).

For more information - please contact the Green Light office: 01284 830829 or email info@greenlighttrust.org

"Our children now play African games indoors and out, love drumming and have composed a song of greeting for Balogu. In short, Yendi has almost become part of the daily life of Stutton School!"
- Sue Hewlett, Link Teacher, Stutton School.

Read about our Papua New Guinea link

Find our how a Poland link is progressing