Internationalism honour for The Bambisanani Partnership
The Bambisanani Partnership has been invited to become a partner of the British Council’s influential Internationalism Alliance.
Since 2006 the multi award winning, Leeds based charity has gained international acclaim for it work in South Africa using sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in one of the countries most deprived rural areas. Over the past 15 years more than 10,000 young people from South Africa and the UK have engaged in Bambisanani projects and programmes. The work of the partnership now spans primary schools, secondary schools, colleges of further education and universities.
In a recent event celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Bambisanani Partnership John Rolfe from the British Council said: "This partnership has developed some of the best international education programmes and practice in the world.”
The International Alliance aims to offer every child and young person in the United Kingdom, whatever their background or interests, the opportunity to learn from – and connect with – other people in the UK and around the world. The Alliance is committed to working with a range of partners in order to:
champion international and intercultural experiences for children and young people
advocate for increased opportunities for international learning
build resources to support high-quality international experiences.
There are over fifty Internationalism Alliance partners including: The Princes Trust, National Union of Students, Curious Minds, Voluntary Service Overseas, Scouts UK, Girl Guides. The Brilliant Club, Step up to Serve Network, Jane Goodall Institute, Tate Collective, Centre for International Learning and Leadership and the Economist Foundation.
Partners are part of a community of organisations working with young people who are committed to working collaboratively in order to:
identify priorities and work towards shared goals with other members
participate in regular, themed workshops and meetings
be part of advocacy campaigns to influence leaders and decision-makers to increase opportunities for young people
ensure young people’s voices are always part of the thinking.
The Alliance has already expressed an interest to use examples of Bambisanani programmes and projects as case studies of good practice.
David Geldart, Founder and Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership said; “It is a real honour to be invited by the British Council to become a partner in its influential Internationalism Alliance. Having already attended one meeting I was very impressed with the expertise, experience and commitment of fellow partners: the Bambisanani Partnership cannot fail to learn from this. In an increasing interrelated planet, all young people deserve the opportunity to broaden their horizons through a better understanding of the world and its peoples. International experiences give young people a wider perspective of the world and on life itself. Such experiences should form a vital part of every young person’s education; preparing them, and indeed their countries, to play their part in creating a better, more equal and sustainable world. The Bambisanani Partnership is delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to this goal.”
