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Forward 

This collection of papers was presented at the 11th Annual Global Partners in Education 

Conference hosted by Han University of Applied Sciences in Nijmegen, Netherlands, from May 

14–16, 2018.  Each paper demonstrates fresh and innovative approaches to teaching Global 

Understanding and Global Leadership courses.  The first paper is by Noureddine Mouhadjer 

(Tlemcen University, Algeria) which emphasizes the necessity and advantages of “global 

citizenship education” for all students around the world.  He explains the reasons why this should 

become not only a national but a worldwide goal and pursuit.  Next, Guangwei Zhang (Shaanxi 

Normal University, China) introduces the completely new idea of introducing the use of virtual 

simulation (i.e., virtual reality) into the Global Understanding classroom as a way for students to 

virtually experience other cultures and the benefits this offers.  Finally, Lori Curtindale (East 

Carolina University, USA) and Svetlana Krylova (Ural State Pedagogical University, Russia) 

describe interactions between students in their Global Leadership course and the strategies that 

they have used to motivate more collaborative learning between students in the virtual 

environment as well as the associated challenges.  These examples of creativity in the classroom 

indicate that Global Understanding courses worldwide are a unique source of inspiration for not 

only students but also instructors.  The root of that inspiration might well be coming from the 

human connections that we make as students and teachers every day that we step into the 

classroom. 

 

Heidi Luchsinger, PhD 

Department of Anthropology         

East Carolina University, USA