Preparing students for the complexities of the future is key; in schools, there exists a critical yet often overlooked aspect – the pursuit of purpose. The millennial generation, now a driving force in the workforce, is known for valuing purpose over profit, willing to sacrifice higher pay for a career that aligns with their values. Are we adequately preparing our students for this pursuit of purpose? Do we address it in our curriculum?

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The Millennial Quest for Purpose

It is widely accepted that millennials seek more than just a paycheck from their careers; they crave a sense of purpose and a connection to something greater than themselves. As educators, it is crucial to recognize this shift in values and equip students with the tools they need to navigate their journey towards purpose and fulfillment.

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The Missing Piece in the Curriculum Puzzle

Despite the evident importance of purpose in shaping the lives and careers of our students, it is disconcerting to note this is often absent from the curriculum.

Why It Matters

Purpose-driven individuals are more likely to be motivated, resilient, and fulfilled in their careers. By incorporating purpose into the curriculum, we not only prepare students for the workforce but also empower them to lead more meaningful lives, especially in this age of eco-anxiety and general upheaval.

Our “MAD” approach to purpose

We, at MAD, encourage students to find purpose via the concept of "Ikigai" – a Japanese term referring to the intersection of what one loves, what one is good at, what the world needs, and what one can be paid for. It literally means “a reason for being.

MAD Courses has recently crafted and launched a microlearning course about Ikigai in partnership with Deloitte to empower an initial 10,000 students and teachers to reflect on purpose. But this got us wondering: ‍

Is purpose really inclusive? Can anyone focus on their Ikigai? What about those young people who are in lower income brackets?

We may be reluctant to talk about Ikigai with students whose economic situations are not optimal, thinking: How can we ask them to “follow their passions” or “just do what you’re good at” while they may need to focus on gainful employment in order to support themselves and/or their families.

Financial constraints may limit immediate choices, but exploring Ikigai can be transformative. Understanding Ikigai helps students to identify interests and skills and empowers them to pursue holistic fulfillment, contributing to well-being and long-term success. Loving what they do increases the likelihood of long-term success, enhancing their overall financial situation.

We recently launched the course at Foundation University in the Philippines, and gathered the insights of the first 81 students to take this course:

A huge thank you to Foundation University for having us on their campus, and to Deloitte for collaborating with us to make this course happen, as part of their global #worldclass campaign.

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We're hoping it sparks more conversations and reflections around one of the most important (and yet under-valued) careers-related questions we ever get to ask ourselves!

If you are interested in exploring your Ikigai, email us at suji@madcourses.com to apply for this course.

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MAD Courses’ innovative and interactive program, the ChangeMaker LaunchPad (CMLP), stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. We want to celebrate the people who made this program come to life. We had experts in Media, Business, Education who worked with our community partners, a range of individuals whose diverse backgrounds and expertise converge to form a powerhouse of inspiration. As we honour the architects of the ChangeMaker LaunchPad, we delve into the unique stories of these changemakers.

Business Experts:

Leading the charge are social entrepreneurs and industry experts. Sophie, our Head of Partnerships, studied international business in France, before she travelled the world to join social enterprises in Latin America and Asia. Aline, our Head of Impact, channels her corporate social responsibility (CSR) background from the banking sector into meaningful impact programming. Andrea, a former marketing professional, embarked on a profound life change, becoming a tour guide and closely collaborating with our community partners and now heads our interactive video storytelling.

Media Experts:

The visionary behind MAD, our CEO and founder Tom, was once a journalist, and inspires us all with his incredible storytelling skills. Roslynn and Roxy, our video team, are digital storytelling maestros, adept at weaving narratives that resonate with audiences globally. And finally Vimeo London brings interactivity to our videos, making the experience so much more immersive.

Education Experts:

Suji, our co-founder, leverages her extensive experience as an international educator and service coordinator. Compass Education contributes invaluable systems thinking tools, while Global Co Lab facilitates global connections through SDG hubs and the Teens Dream Challenge. Continuous feedback from partner schools, educators, and students shapes the evolution of the program.

Community Partners:

We draw inspiration from the Zambales Yangil community, whose stories provide real-life exposure to our students, and an opportunity to practice the tools they learn about before working on their own projects.

MAD Travel, led by our remarkable CEO Raf, frequently visits communities to ensure on-the-ground presence and follow up on community development initiatives.

The importance of collaboration in education cannot be overstated - we are living SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.  In uniting industry, media, education, and community experts, the CMLP creates a shared value that transcends individual contributions. It fosters a sense of unity and purpose, ensuring that stakeholders rally around a singular cause—the empowerment of future changemakers.

The journey towards a better world is not a solitary one; it is a collective endeavor. The Changemaker LaunchPad stands as a testament to the belief that when diverse talents and perspectives come together, they can catalyse transformative change.

We feel very lucky to regularly have interns working with us at MAD (Make A Difference) Courses ; we know that they learn a lot while working with us, but we also learn a TON from them! Colleen Miller was wonderful to have on board, and we are pleased to share with you her reflections on her time with us.

If you or somebody you know is interested in doing an internship with a cool social enterprise that empowers students and communities through interactive online learning, reach out to Sophie Peccaud at sophie@madcourses.com! Let’s hear from Colleen:

Hello! My name is Colleen, and I am a university student who has been volunteering with MAD Courses for the past couple of months. At university, I study International Relations, and I am very interested in helping people around the world! Being a volunteer at a social enterprise has been a wonderful journey that combines passion with purpose. At MAD, I have seen a dynamic environment where innovation meets impact which has allowed me to not only learn about other communities around the world but also makes me feel like I am contributing to society, by learning tools useful to help our world in the future. Without MAD’s deep-rooted partnerships, masterful storytelling, and engaging curriculum development, MAD courses would not be able to leave such an impressive impact on its audience and me!

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Deep-rooted partnerships

When I first started volunteering at MAD, I instantly noticed the strong connection they had with their community partners. One example of this is their connection with the community of Zambales. Seeing how MAD has not only been able to collaborate with the community but also share their stories to audiences globally is very inspiring. From not only a volunteer but from a student's perspective, working at a company that treasures deep-rooted partnerships is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to see how collaborative growth with other communities is important. The chance to be part of a workplace where partnerships are not just valued but essential to the company values opens doors to new learning experiences.

Engaging curriculum development

They have designed a comprehensive curriculum around each adventure, making learning a thrilling journey for schools, universities (especially business schools worldwide), and corporate employees. MAD’s different courses effectively engage audiences.  Looking back on other ways I have learned about sustainability or the UN SDGs, having them be taught with an engaging curriculum would have made it even more exciting and made me want to learn more. As a student, the opportunity to volunteer at a company that places emphasis on creating a captivating curriculum gives me hope that more students will be open to learning & change the world.

Masterful storytelling

Seeing their cutting-edge technology, such as interactive videos, to captivate and immerse the audience with their storytellers and community partners. As a student, storytelling videos are a captivating gateway to learning. They take me on a visual and narrative journey that brings lessons to life in ways textbooks often can't. Seeing these communities in videos and not just reading about them, meeting members of the community and even being able to ask them questions is such a new, interesting, and especially valuable way to learn. MAD’s videos weave complex ideas into relatable stories, making it easier for me to grasp challenging concepts.

My experience volunteering at MAD Courses has been such a valuable experience. Being immersed in an environment that values collaboration and shared goals, I've witnessed the power of meaningful relationships with community partners. It's within this inspiring social enterprise MAD Courses that my journey as a university student has gone beyond conventional boundaries, giving me more enjoyment for learning that goes beyond the classroom, paving the way for a future where education becomes a boundless adventure filled with discovery and impact!

While writing business reports on a 1 billion USD investment fund from the state of Qatar into the Philippines back in 2012, I found myself immersed in the bustling city life of Manila. The glitz and glamour, however, couldn't mask the nagging sense that something was amiss. Much of the colossal investment seemed to be funneled into casinos and large-scale projects, seemingly benefiting only a select few. The more I delved into this world, the less it made sense. How much of this could I turn a blind eye to? The breaking point came, and I made the life-altering decision to leave my job.

What followed was a transformative 12 months spent delving into the heart of communities through Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation across the Philippines. The contrast between the corporate world and the grassroots communities was stark, yet the stories of struggle and hope resonated deeply. These were narratives that, while not yet making a global impact, were undeniably purposeful. The decision to step away from the corporate hustle into the real stories of the Philippines was drastic, but it sparked a revelation. This journey ignited a passion for connecting with narratives of hope and transformation, leading to the birth of MAD (Make A Difference) Courses.

In an era where values alignment is a driving force behind career choices, our aim is to bridge the gap between companies and meaningful impact. In the fast-paced world of today, job changes are more frequent than ever. Many attribute this shift to a misalignment with their company's values. According to the 2023 Net Positive Employee Barometer, nearly half of employees in the UK and US express a willingness to resign if their personal values don't align with those of their company. This sentiment is not limited to seasoned professionals; the 2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey by Deloitte reveals that 39% of Gen Z and 34% of Millennials globally have actively turned down job offers from employers whose values do not resonate with their own.

For those who choose to stay, there's a danger of "quiet quitting" – a slow disengagement from their roles. MAD strives to offer an alternative path, where employees can find purpose and connection within their corporate environment. While not everyone can embark on a year-long immersion like I did, MAD envisions a world where employees can engage with stories of change, resilience, and hope. By amplifying the voices of communities globally, we aim to empower companies to not only engage their workforce but also make a tangible difference.

Join us at MAD as we navigate the intersection of corporate values and genuine impact. Our solution involves connecting companies to the work and mission of local community organizations using interactive video technology, creating a choose-your-own-adventure-style learning experience. This innovative approach serves as a training and engagement tool for employees, offering a unique way to align values with impactful action. Let's make 2024 a year of purpose, connection, and transformation.

Here’s our reflection: if accrediting bodies do not specifically include definitions and benchmarks for global citizenship education, can we reasonably expect schools to support GCE? (ie: professional development, funding for student-led initiatives…)

1. Why does accreditation matter?

According to the ACS WASC website:

• Assures a school community that the school’s purposes are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable education program  — a trustworthy institution for student learning.
• Validates the integrity of the school’s program and transcripts.
• Provides a process for regularly examining programs, processes, and data around school goals and student learning through data analysis, reflection, inquiry, and dialogue.
• Builds a professional culture to support the schoolwide action plan.
• Fosters the continuous improvement of the school’s programs and operations to support student learning.
• Provides valuable insight from fellow educators visiting the school.

1. What is accreditation?

“Accreditation is the act of granting credit or recognition, especially to an educational institution that maintains suitable standards.” Accreditation and Global Citizenship - A query

(https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/accreditation)

Recently, to understand better what schools might be asked about for accreditation in terms of service, sustainability, and global citizenship education, I went to the websites of three prominent accrediting agencies: CIS (Council of International Schools), WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), and NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges).

I typed "global citizenship" on the websites of these accreditation bodies. The results surprised me!  Out of the three bodies researched, two of them—WASC and NEASC—yielded ZERO hits:

On CIS’s website, I found these results:

While the absence of the term "global citizenship" in the specific search results does not necessarily negate its importance within the two accreditation bodies' broader frameworks, it did prompt me to consider the depth and explicit inclusion of such essential values in the standards.

What do you think? Do you think global citizenship, sustainability education, or service learning deserve more “limelight” in the accreditation process?  MAD Courses would love to hear your take.

“It makes me want to learn even more. I want to help the environment and discover new traditions.” (ESTICE student)

We’ve already heard from teachers in our previous newsletter - now let’s hear students’ first impressions of the ChangeMaker LaunchPad program! At MAD Courses, we have a mission – “to foster globally competent citizens who are not just knowledgeable about the complexity of global challenges but are also equipped with the skills and desire to create a better world”. Our flagship program, the ChangeMaker Launchpad, turns this vision into reality. What impact on students has the course had since its launch in September 2023?

High School Students' Perspective

We are thrilled to share the feedback from students at Frankfurt International School (FIS) and the The American School of Puerto Vallarta (ASPV), about their experience with the ChangeMaker Launchpad program. In a couple of words, their experience can be summed up as "Interesting and Intriguing."

When asked what they found the most engaging aspect of our videos, 36% of students highlighted the ability to make active choices throughout their learning experience.

• “choosing who to talk to and what questions to ask thanks to interactive technology made me feel connected to the community” (FIS Student)
• "I like how we can interact with the videos." (ASPV Student)
• "I really like that the videos are interactive. It is very realistic." (FIS Student)

Additionally, 56% of students mentioned the program's capability to immerse them in a new culture and provide insights into indigenous tribes from a local perspective, creating a sense of authentic connection.

• “I enjoyed learning about individual tribe members and their roles.” (FIS Student
• “the program made me feel like I was truly present in the scenarios presented” (ASPV student)

University Students' Perspective

“Better than just stories in Books”.

University students from ESTICE - International Management in France also gave glowing reviews. They expressed how the program ignited their desire to explore, help the environment, and discover the traditions of other cultures.

Among the respondents, an overwhelming 95% confirmed that the program met or exceeded their expectations. In fact, 38% of them stated that it went above and beyond what they had anticipated. Furthermore, 95% of students would recommend a MAD Courses program to their friends or other students.

To sum it up, our university students were inspired to collaborate with others to enact positive change and are now considering the impact their current and future careers have on issues they care about.

So… what did our students like the most?

1. Community Engagement

The students shared their appreciation for the program's focus on real-life community engagement. Working directly with changemakers, like social entrepreneur mentors, allowed them to connect theory with practical experiences.

2. Interactive Technology

The ChangeMaker Launchpad program successfully blended authentic stories with self-guided curricular content. Students found this approach engaging and effective, highlighting the interactivity of the videos, the diversity of content, and the mix of lessons and media.
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MAD Courses remains committed to nurturing a generation of students ready to make a positive difference in the world. Until December 2023, we are seeking development partners who will benefit from a 50% discount. Beyond this financial incentive, we want to share the opportunities for students to become co-creators and innovate with us. Their feedback will count as we further develop the program. Submit your application now by reaching out to suji@madcourses.com!