One of the main things that drew me to become an IB educator were the core values and beliefs that are built into its educational philosophy. An IB international school was the perfect environment as it allowed me to pursue my lifelong inquiry into the world around us, our place in time, self-expression, the exploration of big ideas, as well as the intersectionality between these elements and the complexity of being human in a global context.
Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are an important part of any international school but achieving the ideal requires real engagement with one core value in particular, that of open-mindedness .
Open-mindedness has been defined as the willingness to develop an awareness of one’s biases against the way others look, think, speak, believe or identify. The IB learner profile and ATL’s are designed to help students become independent information seekers. It encourages them to pursue and vet the information they need to better understand their fellow humans, and themselves. An IB student knows that all people are different. They listen carefully to the points of view of others and consider many possibilities before making a decision or a judgement. They celebrate the differences that make all people unique. They understand and appreciate cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. (IB, 2023)
This insightful provocation was recently used as a reflective tool to consider what it means to.be open-minded and what devices were used to express that message in the video. It also provided a reflection opportunity, the chance to consider how it felt to watch, as well as what thoughts and connections it generated.
True inclusion needs open-mindedness if it is to take root. If our young people are to understand what it looks, feels and sounds like in practice, they need to see it consistently enacted, modeled and reinforced throughout the spaces they inhabit. We all have a role to play. True Inclusion is not just about opening doors, it’s about opening minds, hearts, and spaces. It’s about feeling seen, being heard and valued. It’s about belonging. It’s about All of Us!