Action, the core of student agency, is integral to the Primary Years Programme (PYP) learning process and to the programme’s overarching outcome of international-mindedness. Through taking individual and collective action, students come to understand the responsibilities associated with being internationally minded and to appreciate the benefits of working with others for a shared purpose. When students see tangible actions that they can choose to take to make a difference, they see themselves as competent, capable and active agents of change (Oxfam 2015).
Initiated by students, PYP action is authentic, meaningful, mindful, responsible and responsive. Action could be:
- a change in attitude
- a consideration or plan for action in the future
- a demonstration of responsibility, or of respect for self, others and the environment
- a commitment to leading or participating in a youth advocacy group
- an engagement in school decision-making or an expression of support in community, local and global decision-making.
